Nola Helms McCollum

May 11, 1939 - August 9, 2025

Nola McManus Helms was born in Union County, North Carolina, the daughter of Craven and Ethel Medlin Helms. She attended Shiloh Baptist Church from infancy to adulthood and studied at Shiloh Elementary School, graduating from Indian Trail High School in 1957.

In 1966, Nola was appointed Deputy Clerk of Superior Court in Union County and later served as Assistant Clerk. In 1975, Nola was unanimously recommended by the Union County Bar for appointment to the position of Clerk of Superior Court of Union County after the sitting Clerk died in office. She was elected to that office in the next general election to fill out the unexpired term of her predecessor, and was re-elected every four years therefore until her retirement in 2005. During her tenure as Clerk, Nola served as President of the NC Association of Clerks of Superior Court, as well as serving as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of that organization over the years. Nola said the following about her years with the Clerk’s office:

To be sure, the most satisfying part of the work of Clerk of Superior Court has been being able to help so many good Union County people. Union County is where I was born and raised, and it has been good to me. To serve the people and to give back to this community is something I strived to do every day. I always tried to remember that behind each piece of paper was a person, a family, a story that was not there on the page. I can only hope that in some way I was able to touch the lives of some of you, as you have touched mine.

Over the years, Nola belonged to a number of service organizations, including the following:

• Monroe Chamber of Commerce

• Old Monroe Neighborhood Association

• Union Symphony Society (Executive Director August 2005 – June 2011)

• Democratic Women of Union County

• North Carolina Guardianship Association

• League of Women Voters Union County

• Supreme Court Historical Preservation Society

Throughout both her professional and personal life, Nola displayed a unique combination of organizational skills and professionalism blended with kindness, compassion, and humor. She loved reading, the arts, and music. Her musical favorites ranged from Andrea Bocelli and classical music to Randy Travis, old gospel, and hymns. She ushered at Ovens Auditorium for many years. Nola loved her historic home and her neighbors in the Old Monroe Neighborhood, and she especially enjoyed sitting on her front porch, watching the neighbors go by with their children and dogs. She loved animals, particularly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. She was a member of the ASPCA Guardians program.

Nola and her husband Joe McCollum were long-time members of the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe. They loved their church community and especially enjoyed participating in the Chancel Choir, with whom they traveled to Europe for three concert tours.

Nola was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joe McCollum (2021), her son Chris Cunningham (2019), her sister Pamela Piazza (2010), and her brother Gary Helms (2025). She is survived by her sister Deborah Helms of Watsonville, California, and her stepson John McCollum, daughter-in-law Crystal McCollum, and grandson Pearson McCollum of Monroe.

Nola’s family wishes to thank the outstanding staff of Brookdale Monroe Square Assisted Living for their excellent and kind care and the residents there for their friendship and love.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 302 E. Windsor Street, Monroe, NC 28110.

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

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

• First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, 302 E. Windsor Street, Monroe, NC 28110, 704-289-2574, https://fpcmonroenc.org

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), https://secure.aspca.org/donate or (800) 628-0028.

McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe is honored to serve the family of Nola Helms McCollum.