Martha Jane (Gaddy) Helms

Martha Gaddy Helms, 76, of Kannapolis, went to be with her heavenly Father on Friday, April 12, 2024 at the Tucker Hospice House following a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Martha was born April 11, 1948, in Mecklenburg County to the late Henry Clay Gaddy and Lois Turner Gaddy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Barry Helms. 

Martha was a loving mother, Nana and sister, often known for her generosity, selflessness and giving heart. She was a lifelong Kannapolis resident and a 1966 graduate of A.L. Brown High School. Martha retired from Wells Fargo with over 40 years in banking. After retirement, she enjoyed being a full-time Nana to Lilly. Her favorite pastime was watching Lilly dance and being her biggest cheerleader in all her activities.  Martha had a very classic fashion style and you would never see her without a cute pair of shoes. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed murder mysteries, crossword puzzles, and game shows. Martha had a wealth of knowledge when it came to ancestry, Scrabble and trivia. She never turned away a stray cat and had a special love for her granddog Molly.

Martha was an active member of Brookdale Baptist Church for much of her life. She later became an active member of Trinity Methodist Church, working in the church office, teaching Sunday school, playing the piano on Wednesday nights, and helping with God’s Supper Table and is currently a member of Journey Church of Kannapolis.  

Family members left to cherish her memory are daughter, Laurie Helms Beaver; granddaughter Lilly Beaver and her boyfriend Austin Grunden; sister, Ann Isenhour of Kannapolis; brother, Eddie Gaddy and his wife Marie of Union Grove; nieces Hayley Carmichael and Caroline Hager (Seth) and her children McCoy and Wyatt; and many cherished Turner and Gaddy cousins. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Tao; Dr. Gavini and all the wonderful staff at Levine Cancer Center; Tiffany, Jenna, and all the amazing caregivers from Hospice of Cabarrus County for the loving care they have provided Martha throughout her journey with cancer. They would also like to thank Martha’s dear friend Linda Baxter for her unending love and support throughout this journey.

The family will receive friends on Monday, April 15, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Whitley’s Funeral Home with a funeral service officiated by Pastor Jim Yow to follow at 6:00 pm in the Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 10:00 am at Carolina Memorial Park. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Cabarrus, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis NC 28081.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.

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