Obituaries

Minister Deborah Jane Helm, 66, of Clarksburg, WV, on her birthday, Wednesday, June 29, 2016, was escorted by a heavenly host of angels to be present with the Lord following an extended illness.

She was born in Clarksburg, on June 29, 1950 a daughter of the late Clarence Wesley Thomas and Ruby Evans Thomas.

She is survived by one son, Marcus Helm and his wife Marianne of Clarksburg; one daughter, Clarice Helm of Clarksburg; and three grandchildren, Tamika Moore, Nathan Wesley Helm and Lexie Clark; and one great grandchild, Akira Hendricks. Also surviving are one brother, Ralph Thomas and his wife Billie of Clarksburg; one sister, Barbara Smith and her husband Raymond of Stonewood, and Jeanette Walker, who she thought of as a daughter; two nieces, Angela Smith and Arissa Smith; and Godchildren, Elise Miracle Walker and Daniel Jones.

In addition to her parents, Deborah was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Eva Evans.

Deborah was a graduate of Washington Irving High School Class of 1968 and worked for the AAA Auto Club in Customer Service. She also attended Salem University and Fairmont University studying Religious Counseling and Psychology.

Minister Helm was a member of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, and in 1995 she became a Licensed Minister under Pastor David A. Kates. She currently was serving as Associate Minister under Reverend Rahsaan A. Armand. Minister Helm was a former Church Youth Director and former Leader of the Women’s Ministry. Her mission in life was “a church without walls”. She ministered and evangelized wherever she went. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”. She received the Woman of Distinction Award from the Progressive Women’s Association in 2016. She served as Minister at Salvation Praise in Morgantown, and New Faith Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. She will be missed by those who knew her and whom she came in contact with.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, King’s Kids Youth Ministry, P. O Box 811, Clarksburg, WV 26302.

Family and friends will be received at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort, on Saturday from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 315 E. B. Saunders Way, Clarksburg, on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Rahsaan A. Armand presiding. Minister Helm will lie in state one hour prior to the service.

Interment will follow in the Stonewall Park Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com a service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.