Sue Lemmond Helms

Sue Lemmond Helms, 69, of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Born in Charlotte, NC on February 28, 1943, Sue was the daughter of the late Minnie Lowrance Lemmond and Dexter Marshall Lemmond. She lived her childhood years on her family farm on Albemarle Rd. in Clear Creek. Her love of the farm brought her back to live there for the last 10 years of her life. She graduated from East Mecklenburg High School, majored in Art Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, graduated in 1965. She did graduate work in Art at East Carolina University in Greenville. As a young girl she was very active in Girl Scouts and achieved the highest honors, a Curved Bar. Also, she was an exemplary student, a class Beauty at East Mecklenburg High and the first Miss Mint Hill.

Sue was a talented accomplished artist, played the piano, and had a beautiful voice. Her paintings have been featured in Art Exhibits and even selected to be in a Sears Traveling Exhibit that toured the U.S. One of her paintings culminated in Vincent Price’s Gallery in Chicago. She taught many art classes at various schools ranging from elementary to high school as well as art centers and Girl Scout Troops.

Sue married Jerry N. Helms, the love of her life, in 1965. They lived in Kinston, NC, Pittsburgh, PA, Waldwick, NJ, Wyckoff, NJ, Dunwoody, GA, and Charlotte, NC. Her love of international art took them abroad to 35 different countries to acquire items for her varied and vast collection. She would take extra tote bags and would even wear or hold some of the items on the plane when the bags were full.

Sue wanted to share her love of International Culture and took her collections to many schools and groups to share with children. She was called “The Box Lady”. She wanted the children to learn about the items by touching them, playing the instruments, and trying on the clothes to experience the culture in a unique and fun way.

Sue Lemmond Helms often said that “The more children know about other countries and share their cultures; maybe we will someday have a better chance for a more peaceful world through understanding.”

She worked as Director of Education at International House for 10 years and made many international friends. Her collections were enhanced as a member of the Atlanta and Charlotte Friendship Forces of America and Charlotte Sister Cities Organizations.

Some of her other accomplishments were Chairperson for Cultural Arts at Wyckoff, NJ Schools, President of DeKalb North Arts Alliance in Dunwoody, GA, Chairman of the Children’s Festival at North Arts Center, organized the 1st International Festival of the Arts in Atlanta, a member of the Atlanta Friendship Force. She designed and won the contest for the town seals for Wyckoff, NJ, Mint Hill, NC, and Matthews, NC. She served as President of the Mint Hill Historical Society 2002-2005.

“Sue Sue” is survived by her loving husband Jerry N. Helms; children Brian Helms and his wife Debbie, Robin Helms Warfield; beloved grandchildren Cameron, Carson, Minnie, Jackson, Cooper, Lucie, and Luke, all of Charlotte.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 8, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm at McEwen - Mint Hill Chapel. A funeral service will be held Monday, July 9, 2012 at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Earth Echoes, a children’s world museum, founded by Sue and Jerry Helms. Contributions (501c3-tax deductible) can be sent to Wendy Shaw, Director, at 8501 Fox Tail Lane, Huntersville, NC 28078.

The family would like to thank the Physicians and Staff of the Harris Hospice Unit of Presbyterian Hospital and Hospice House of Union County for their kind and compassionate care of Mrs. Helms during her illness.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.McEwenMintHillChapel.com.