Helen Marie Bay

Helen was born on August 8, 1930, in Gallia County, Ohio, to the late Earl and Marie (McElhaney) Carter. She was a faithful member of Sugar Grove United Methodist Church and retired from Lancaster Fairfield Community Hospital after many years of dedicated service.

Known for her delicious baking, beautiful flower gardens, and gentle spirit, Helen touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She found great joy tending her flowers and spending time with her family.

Helen is survived by her sons, Gary Wertman (Joyce) of Circleville and Danny Bay (Tonya) of Lancaster; stepdaughter Joyce Smith of Lancaster; grandchildren Hailee, Hunter, and Nevaeh Bay, Tyler Wertman, Cassidy Wertman, Lisa Morris, Brad Bussert, Carey Jones, Jennifer Thomas, Jason Smith, and Jeremy Smith; numerous great-grandchildren; and her brother, Darrell Ray Carter.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, William R. "Bill" Bay; her parents, Earl and Marie (McElhaney) Carter; sisters Edith Dewitt, Pearl Anderson, Dorothy May Carter, Lucille Nelson, and Mildred Benson; brothers Lawrence Carter, Eugene Carter, and Wayne Carter; and stepdaughter Carol Bussert.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 11AM at Halteman-Fett & Dyer Funeral Home, with Reverend Tony Hudson of Sugar Grove United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Bremen. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4PM-7PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairhope Hospice (282 Sells Rd. Lancaster, OH 43130) in memory of Helen.