Talbert E. Helveston Jr.

The keys on the piano have been slowing down for a decade and they played their last tune on the morning of May 17, 2023 as Talbert Edwin Helveston Jr. ended his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. His family will carry on with the music of his life in their hearts forever as they rejoice that he is no longer suffering. Ed spent his final days surrounded by family in the comfort of his own home. While he was one month shy of his 70th birthday and 48th wedding anniversary, he lived a life full of noteworthy accomplishments. Meeting his bride in Taiwan while they were both serving in the military was the start of a lifetime full of adventure, travel and ministry with a master’s degree in hand. This Mobile, Alabama native moved around often for churches but found his way back to sweet home Alabama, living in Mount Olive for the last 17 years. In Ed’s 43 years of ministry, he served in music, youth/college, senior adults, and education. Upon his diagnosis and retirement he continued to serve as an interim minister until his body needed him to slow down even more. You could always spark a conversation with him about his love for music, Alabama football, or golf. He is preceded in death by his grandparents: John Early Stanford & Myrtle Demmerce Stanford; Allen Werdlaw Hawkins & Alma Lilly Hawkins, parents: Talbert Edwin Helveston Sr. & Frances Euclead Helveston, and sister: Gale Ivy. He leaves behind his precious wife, Sandra Helveston and their four children, Melodie (Noah, Payton, Zoë, Cooper), Melinda & Michael (Moses, Matthew, Ava), Michael & Krysta (Kaleb; & Miranda (Willow) and Marianne & Alex (Theodore). He also leaves behind a brother, Dennis Helveston, sister: Joyce Fernandez, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was a man that kept things interesting and that didn’t end before his farewell wishes. His services will not include a traditional funeral but, the family will have a viewing at First Baptist Church of Mount Olive on Wednesday May 24, 2023 from 5-7. They will honor him with a military burial the following morning. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church of Mount Olive senior adult and music ministries.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Helveston family.