Thursday, May 27, 2010 2:19 pm

 Mrs. Mildred Willis Helms, 80, of  114 Lakeview Road, Cherryville, NC, passed away, Thursday, May 20, 2010. Services were held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Helms was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Lee Willis and Janie Mae Taylor Willis; 1 son, Bobby Joe Helms; 2 brothers, Roy and Robert Willis; and 3 sisters, Pauline Green, Margaret Blackwell, and Sue Turner.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Joe Helms of the home; 1 daughter, Brenda Seate and husband Maurice of Cherryville; 2 sons, Don Helms and wife Faye of Lincolnton, and Rick Helms and wife Debbie of Blacksburg, SC; 1 daughter-in-law, Jo Ann Helms of Rocky Mount; 4 brothers, Rayford Willis of Lincolnton, Lloyd Willis, Kenneth Willis and Wayne Willis, all of Cherryville; 1 sister, Vangie Costner of Lawndale; 9 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 112 Mt. Zion Church Road, Cherryville, NC 28021; or to: Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Stamey-Cherryville Funeral Home, Cherryville, NC is serving the family.