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FURRS COMMUNITY – James Travis “Buddy” Helms, 77 departed this earthly pilgrimage and arrived in Glory after a period of declining health on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 from his residence in the Furrs Community. Buddy was born in Pontotoc Co. on June 23, 1944 to the late Albert Helms and Estelle Jaggers Helms. Buddy grew up on the family farm and farmed himself for many years. He worked in several manufacturing jobs before spending many years in maintenance for B and B Concrete. His last job was working the paint and hardware department at Walmart in Tupelo before his health failed. Buddy was a longtime member of the Valley Grove Baptist Church where he had served as Deacon, Youth and Adult Sunday School teacher and he sang bass in the Church choir. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed his land, fishing and hunting. He enjoyed painting in his later years.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 1 PM Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Valley Grove Baptist
Church with Bro. Greg Herndon officiating. Burial will follow in Valley Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be today (Tuesday) from 5 PM – 7 PM and Wednesday from noon to service time, all at the church. Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Bass Helms of Furrs community; his children, James Shelley Helms of Pontotoc, Leigh Anne Helms Straily (Todd) and Valerie Helms Smith, all of Pontotoc; 7 grandchildren, Caleb Straily, Steven Straily, Travis Helms, Brittney Helms Russell, Kyle Holloway, Ayden Smith, and Leah Smith; 3 great-grandchildren, Kaylee Russell, Wesson Russell, and Noah Russell; several extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Hershel Helms and Glen Helms; 2 sisters, Betty Hoffman and Elsie Seat; son-in-law, George Smith.
Pallbearers will be Caleb Straily, Steven Straily, Todd Straily, Travis Helms, Kyle Holloway and Scott Jaggers. An honorary pallbearer will be Ayden Smith.
Memorials may be made in memory of Buddy Helms to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences to the family may be posted at hollandfuneraldirectors.com.
