Ann Helms

Funeral services for Mrs. Johnnie Ann Helms, 77, of Cookeville, Tennessee were held Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 1 pm in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home. Dr. Jason Groe officiated. Interment followed at Crest Lawn Cemetery. Her family received friends Monday, February 8, from 4 pm until 7 pm & Tuesday, February 9, from 11 am until service time at 1 pm. Ann died suddenly on Friday evening, February 5, 2021 in Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Helms was born June 12,1943 in Cookeville, Tennessee to the late John Henry & the late Neta Pearl Ford. She grew up in the north Cookeville area with her siblings the late Jimmy Ford & Jerry Ford. She was always known for her passion for education & learning. In 1961, she graduated from Central High School in Cookeville. Ann completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Tennessee Technological University in 1964 & earned her master’s degree from TTU in 1975. Ann’s passion was teaching children. She loved nothing more than encouraging & fostering a love for learning amongst her students. She taught 4th grade at Park View Elementary School for 40 years touching the lives of over a thousand children throughout her career. Ann first met her husband, Roy, in first grade. Their paths crossed again in high school when they became “sweethearts” their junior year. They married December 20, 1963 & recently celebrated 57 years of marriage. They raised their daughter, Deborah Ann, in Cookeville. Roy & Ann actively spent their time together through the years with Ann cheering him & his team at softball games with their many friends & riding and serving in the Honda Goldwing Motorcycle Club. They actively attended & served at Poplar Grove Baptist Church from the mid 80’s until Ann’s health kept them home. Ann loved the Lord & exhibited Christ’s love in her life through caring for others, her kindness, & humility. Ann was affectionately known as Gigi by her grandchildren & great-grandchildren. She made stays & visits fun & adventurous with her storytelling, silly songs & games, & “shop till you drop” trips. Ann was a warrior these past years conquering breast cancer while she battled Parkinson’s & degenerative osteoarthritis. Through it all she persevered & rarely complained. She was determined to always be there for her family & live life to its fullest. She will be greatly missed. Ann was a firm grounding foundation for her family, setting an example we all hope to follow. She is survived by her husband Roy Helms; her daughter Debbie(Steve) Lamb of Cookeville; four grandchildren: Rachael(Brandon) Sherrill of Meridianville, Alabama; Sam(Jordan) Lamb of Sparta; David(Jessica) Lamb of Cookeville; Hannah(Austin) Ahrens of Cookeville; great-grandchildren: Austin, Sophia-Ann, Adeline Sherrill; Harper Lamb; Weston, Charlie-Ann Lamb; baby Deacon Ahrens due in May; brother Jerry (Michelle) Ford; sister-in-law Linda Gaw; aunt Ida(Willy) Hawkins; aunt Eunetta Miller; as well as many nieces & nephews. Steve Lamb, Sam Lamb, Austin Ahrens, Brandon Sherrill, Tommy Stewart, & Josh Spencer served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were David Lamb(US Army deployed), Randy Spencer, Danny Stewart, Harry Ford, Clint Ford, & Anthony Ford. Memorial contributions may be made to Poplar Grove Baptist Church children’s ministry, 4365 Rocky Point Rd, Cookeville, TN 38506. Hooper, Huddleston, Horner Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. Share memories & condolences at www.hhhfunerals.com.