Judith Ann Helms

Judith Ann Helms, age 87, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Dallas, Georgia, surrounded by the love of her family. Judith was born on December 10, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Edward Raymond Dase and June Marie Dase (née Washburn).

Judith's life was defined by enduring love, creativity, and devotion to family. She met her beloved husband, Howard Frank Helms, when she was just 14 years old. Married on June 20, 1959, they shared 65 years of marriage before his passing in 2024, building a life rich in love, family, and cherished memories.

Her appreciation for the arts began in childhood. Her parents, Edward Raymond and June Marie Dase, were among the original founders of Huntington Playhouse in Bay Village, Ohio, where Judith and her sister, Barbara, spent their formative years immersed in the theater. Those early experiences inspired a lifelong love of creativity and artistic expression.

Judith worked as an X-ray technician at Southwest General Hospital in Ohio and later served as a curator at The Butler Museum in Butler, Tennessee. A gifted and versatile artist, she expressed her creativity through painting, drawing, acrylics, quilting, and sewing. From creating beautiful works of art to lovingly making her children's clothing, her artistic talents touched both the extraordinary and everyday moments of family life. Her creative spirit became a cherished family tradition, carried forward through generations.

Throughout her life, Judith experienced both extraordinary love and profound loss. Her family finds comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her beloved Howard, her sons, and those who went before her. Like the quilts she so lovingly created, the threads of her life remain woven into the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Judith was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard Frank Helms; her sons, Daniel Howard Helms and Matthew Joseph Helms; her son-in-law, Brian Dale Haney; and her parents, Edward Raymond Dase and June Marie Dase.

She is survived by her son, David Edward Helms; her daughters, Janet Marie Evans and husband Cliff, and Jeanne Rose Day and husband Robert; her daughter-in-law, Anna Helms; and her sister, Barbara Louise Waide. She will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Joshua Helms, Benjamin Helms, Derek Helms and wife Cassi, Stephanie Edwards and husband Matthew, Nichole Cartrette, Jacquelyn Cartrette, Meagan Reger and husband Jay, Jamie Rudik and husband Igor, Anthony Haney and wife Adria, Deanna Haney and husband Gary, Kristina Suppa and husband Jeremy, and Justin Day. Judith also leaves behind her beloved great-grandchildren, Abigail Cooper, Jack Cooper, Lucas Cooper, Layla Reger, Tyler Edwards, Nathan Edwards, Allison Edwards, Jacob Edwards, William Coggins, Cooper Day, and Howie Day. Judith is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Robert Waide and wife Mariann, Melody Gainsa and husband Gary, Jonathan Waide and Melody Ostrow, and Jennifer Waide; her great-nieces and great-nephews, Amanda Duffy and husband Sean, Ashley Kielczewski and husband Christian, Andrew Waide, Gabriella Waide-Cagliari, and Emma Waide; and her great-great-nephew, Connor Joseph Duffy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at Clark Funeral Home, 4373 Atlanta Highway, Hiram, GA 30141.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Mount Nebo Methodist Church.  Mount Nebo Methodist Church, 3685 Nebo Road, Dallas, GA 30157

Flowers may be sent directly to the church at the address above.