Sammy Helms' Obituary
Sammy Joe Helms, son of Robert Folk and Edna Mae (Lee) Helms was born February 21, 1939 near Seymour, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, October 2, 2010 in Marshfield Care Center, Marshfield, Missouri at the age of seventy-one years, seven months, and eleven days.
On July 12, 1963 he was married to Elaine Dorthy Cook and to this union three sons, Jeff, Doug, and Brian were born. He was later married to Mary Lee Hill on November 4, 2003.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one granddaughter, Holly; a brother, Bob Helms; and a sister, Artie Hubbard.
Sammy Joe is survived by his wife, Mary, of the home in Marshfield, Missouri.; his children, Randy Helms and his wife, Lawanna, of the state of Georgia, Steven Helms and his wife, Jeneta, of Springfield, Missouri, Jeff Helms and his wife, Terri, Doug Helms and his wife, Amanda, and Brian Helms, all of Seymour, Missouri; two step-children, Charla Cruise, Marshfield, Missouri, and Terral Davis and his wife, Becky, serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan; nine grandchildren, Jeremy, Krista, Amanda, Eli, Dalton, Cierra, Tiffany, Braythan, and Sarah; two step-grandchildren, Tesia and Dylan; eight great-grandchildren, Joey, Paxton, Aidan, Ashlyn, Owen, Brycen, John Carter, and Isabella; Elaine Helms, mother of Jeff, Doug, and Brian Helms; four sisters, Genevieve Todd, of Peculiar, Missouri, Betty Sanders, of Springfield, Illinois, Mary Sanders and her husband, Bob, of Palmetto, Florida, and Joyce Kay Langley and her husband, Wayne , of Springfield, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
He lived most of his life on the farm in Seymour and was a graduate of Seymour High School in the Class of 1956. Following graduation he served two years with the United States Army and was stationed in Germany, and then returned to the family farm near Seymour. Besides being a farmer, he worked at Syntex Argi-business in Springfield, where he had served as union steward and supervisor, and retired after 38 years of employment. After he and Mary were married they made their home in Marshfield, Missouri.
Sammy Joe had made his profession of faith in God at an early age and was baptized at the Seymour Christian Church.
He had played with the Men’s Fast Pitch Softball League in Springfield and was a member of the Fordland Bass Club. In his spare time, he enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing, especially in bass tournaments.
Sammy Joe loved the farm life and being outdoors. He appreciated the time he could spend with his family and he especially loved his grandchildren.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and accomplishments and will cherish the wonderful memories that he created for his family and many friends.
Services are 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010 in Holman-Howe Chapel in Seymour with Reverend Randy Swearengin and Reverend Phillip Cook officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Seymour Masonic Cemetery under direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Seymour, Mo. Visitation will be 7-8 p.m., Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Seymour Library in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 366, Seymour, Mo. 65746.
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