Margaret Helms

Tupelo " Mary Margaret Ballard Helms, 81, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Darlington Oaks, Community Hospice, Inc. in Verona, MS. She was born January 28, 1927 in Tupelo, Mississippi, daughter of John and Bettie Mae Ballard, both deceased.

Mrs. Helms has lived in Tupelo all of her life. She retired from BellSouth after 40 years of service. After retirement, she found her lifelong place of SERVICE at East Heights Baptist Church as music/education secretary for eight years.

Mrs. Helms was an active lifelong member of East Heights Baptist Church. She was past president of East Heights Garden Club and BellSouth Pioneers Life Member Club, former secretary/treasurer/publicity chairman for the Young At Heart Club Tupelo, and former secretary of the Tombigbee Indians Good Sam Chapter.

Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at East Heights Baptist Church. Rev. Charles Pratt, First Baptist Church of Kenton, Tennessee will officiate her Celebration of Life. A graveside service will be held at Lee Memorial Park immediately following for those who wish to attend. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Marion Helms, resident of HomePlace in Saltillo, MS., two daughters, Vicki Helms Carter (husband, Ron Carter) of East Orange, NJ and Lulu Helms Stribling (husband, Carroll Stribling) of St. Louis, MO; two grandchildren, Logan Ballard Carter of New York, New York and James Andrew Robsham of Los Angeles, California.

Pallbearers will be Roger Davis, Will Davis, Buddy Palmer, Mark Clayton, John Simmons, Nick Humber, Sammy Atkins, and Bill Talent

Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home. I

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Helms wish is that expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions be made to East Heights Baptist Church, 405 Lake Street, Tupelo, Mississippi

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .