Betty Cleo Hedden-Helms

Betty Cleo Hedden-Helms, 97, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2020. Betty was born on March 26, 1923 in Asheville, North Carolina to Letha & Claudius Pell. Betty graduated from St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in 1936 & Lee R. Edwards High School in 1940. Soon afterwards, Betty married Sidney Joseph Hedden on April 11, 1943. Afterwards Betty and Sidney travelled to Albany, New York. From there they ventured to Japan where they resided for four & a half years during the Korean War. Upon returning by ship to Seattle, Washington they drove cross-country in their newly purchased Lincoln before eventually settling in Pickens, South Carolina & finally residing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Betty & Sidney raised five children in Charlotte, North Carolina: Stephen “Kirby” Hedden, Emily Hedden, S. Paul Hedden, Karen Hedden-Boyd & Karla Hedden-Benson. Betty is preceded in death by: her husband, Sidney Joseph Hedden, 1971; five sisters: Vivian, Edna, Margaret, Peggy & Elizabeth; her precious son, Sidney Paul Hedden, 2007; & grandson 1SG Sidney David Griffith, 2014. Betty was also preceded in death by her second husband, Carl W. Helms, 2008. Betty & Carl resided in Port Charlotte, Florida before spending their last years of Carl’s life in Supply, North Carolina.

In her life Betty travelled extensively & visited nearly all 50 of the United States. Betty was an honored & devoted blood donor as well as a respected member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Port Charlotte, Florida & South Brunswick, North Carolina. She retired from Eckerd Drug after 30+ years of service.

Betty was a resident of Olde Knox Commons at the Villages of Mecklenburg in Huntersville, North Carolina for the past four years. Betty is survived by her children: Stephen “Kirby”, Emily, Karen & Karla; six grandchildren: Stephen Hedden (Georgia), Joseph Hedden (Georgia), Derek Griffith (Virginia), Katie Hedden (North Carolina), April Hedden-Johnson (North Carolina) & Shelby Benson (North Carolina); & nine great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Olde Knox Commons for caring for Betty in the last years of her long & full life. She will be dearly missed.

Visitation will take place at McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 12:00pm. A Graveside Service will follow at 1:00pm at Sharon Memorial Park.