Mr. JT Helms, age 85 of Vidalia, died Friday, April 25, 2024, at Oxley Park Health & Rehab in Lyons, following a brief illness. He was a native of Vidalia, living in Savannah for fourteen years, and in Vidalia and Montgomery County most of his life. He served three years in the U.S. Army. He worked as an insurance agent with Independent Life for several years, Chickasha Mobile Homes for eleven years, and retired from Choo Choo Supply in Vidalia after thirty-four years as Mill Shop Manager. He previously attended Normantown Baptist Church and was member of Higgston Baptist Church where he served as deacon and choir director. JT enjoyed fishing, quail hunting with setters, woodworking, and building tables, gun cabinets, coffee tables, and breakfast tables. He is preceded in death by his wife of fifty-eight years, Dana Dixon Helms; parents, Joseph Jackson Helms and Connie Lee Davis Helms; and two brothers, Jack Helms and Robert Helms.
His family includes two sons, Cary Helms and wife Amanda, and Bryne Helms and wife Julie, all of Vidalia; seven grandchildren, Chad Helms and wife Jessica of Vidalia, Brent Helms of Montgomery County, Michael Helms and wife Andrea of Mendes, Brianna Helms of Vidalia, Emily Helms Gay and husband Brandon of Glennville, M.J. Helms of Dexter, and Cassie Ethridge of Warner Robins; seven great-grandchildren, eight sisters, Faye Helms Whaley and husband Ray of Oklahoma, Sandra Helms Howell, Rose Helms Braddy and husband Ken, all of Montgomery County, Irma Helms Taylor and husband Richard of Vidalia, Linda Helms of Texas, Gail Helms Gibson and husband Jimmy of Aiken, South Carolina, Vickie Helms Fletcher of the Center Community, and Lynn Helms Collins and husband Timmy of Vidalia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be Sunday afternoon, April 28th, at 3:00 at Higgston Baptist Church with Randy McDuffie and Pastor Murray Ward officiating. Burial will follow later at Ferguson Cemetery in Montgomery County.
The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 until just prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Higgston Baptist Church Youth Department, 512 James St., Ailey, GA 30410.
Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.
