Individual Details

Death

KANNAPOLIS - Bertha Pressley Helton, 89, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2009, at the home of her daughter, Joanne Rowell, with whom she had made her home. She was born Aug. 17, 1919, in Mecklenburg County, the daughter of the late Walter Pressley and Carrie Burkett Pressley. She moved to Cabarrus County at the age of eight. She was a homemaker and devoted mother and grandma-mommy to her little Angel. In later life she was a server at the K & W Cafeteria, Concord. She loved music and dancing, and in her youth sang and played rhythm guitar in her family band. She was a charter member of Parkwood Baptist Church, Concord, NC. For 11 years she was employed with the K & W Cafeteria as a server. She was also a life member and past officer of the DAV Chapter 27 Ladies Auxiliary and a current member of the American Legion Post 51 Ladies Auxilary. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Lee (Sarge) Helton in 1992; sons, Jesse Lee Helton and Jimmy Lee Helton; a step-son, Billy Ray Helton; and her beloved friend, Paul "Buck" Beamon. The funeral service will be 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, at Whitley's Funeral Home Main Chapel, Kannapolis, officiated by Rev. Darrell Coble. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis. The family will receive friends from 11to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home prior to the service. Survivors include her brother, Charlie Pressley and friend, Hazel; her sister, Mary Gohn and husband, Vern; her children, son, David Helton and wife, Kathy, stepsons, Buddy Helton and wife, Montez, and Joel Helton, daughters, Joanne Rowell and husband, Mick, Linda Furr and husband, Fred, and step-daughter, Barbara Mullis and husband, Bill; and her daughter-in-law, Karen Helton Her grandchildren, Angel Spitler and husband, Gary, Tony Rowell and wife, Jennifer, Joy Sutton and husband, Brian, and Jinny Helton; her great-grandchildren, Brianna Sutton and Nicholas Sutton; and also by a number of nephews and nieces including a special niece, Jeanette Hartsock and husband, Bob. The family would like to express deep gratitude to the dedicated staff of Hospice, especially Tiffany, and would earnestly request memorials, in lieu of flowers, to be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Sympathy condolences may be left at information@whitleysfh.com.
Published in the Concord & Kannapolis Independent Tribune on 7/24/2009