Obituary of Melba Proffitt Helms

A celebration service honoring the life of Melba Proffitt Helms, 96, will be held at 3pm Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Platt Springs United Methodist Church, West Columbia. Officiating will be the Reverend Becky Shirley and the Reverend Thom Jones. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be the McNair Circle and the McNair Sunday school class. The family will receive friends from 2pm until the hour of service at the church. Burial will be held Monday, June 10 at 11am in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Anderson, SC. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is in charge of the arrangements. Born in Anderson County on December 3, 1916, she was a former resident of the Pelzer-Williamston area, the widow of Garry Hall "Pete" Helms and the daughter of the late Moody Graham and Sue Burgess Proffitt. She was a former employee of B.C. Moore's in Williamston, and as active member of Pelzer United Methodist Church. After the death of her husband, she lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Vince Rhodes in West Columbia she was an active member of Platt Springs United Methodist Church. She was a beautiful, loving, gentle and caring lady and above all, a devout Christian. She is survived by daughter, Sue Rhodes (Vince) of West Columbia; son, Garry Helms (Sylvia) of Hampstead, NC; daughter-in-law, Susan K. Helms of Richburg; sisters, Grace Callaham of Greenville and Hazel Breeding of Tampa, FL, brothers, John Proffitt of Liberty and Charles Proffitt of Greenville; 7 grandchildren and 11great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents she is predeceased by son, Don Helms, and siblings, Truman Proffitt, Paul Proffitt, M.G. Proffitt, Ruth Wilson, Theo Kuper, Marguerite Savage and Doris Proffitt. Special thanks to the staff of Lexington Extended Care (Palmetto Lane) and Hospice Care of Tri-County for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Budget of Platt Springs United Methodist Church, 3215 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia SC 29170.