Thelma Helmick

"Shenny" Helmick, 85, a former and long time Petersburg/Colonial Heights resident, passed away on Sunday, July 18, 2010 in Virginia Beach. She was a native of Ettrick, Virginia and was predeceased by her parents, Everett Bernard and Mary Inez Perkinson and her late husband, Ronald W. Helmick. She was a member of Christ and Grace Episcopal Church, a 2003 graduate of Richard Bland College and a respected artist. Although strong-willed and determined, she was the consummate Southern Lady. She had a love of life as witnessed by her long-term involvement in the Red Hat Society. Survivors include her stepdaughter, J. Michele Helmick and her partner, Cynthia A. Curtis of Virginia Beach; her sister-in-law, A. Ruth Russell and nephew, Boyd A. Russell of Lewes, Delaware; a cousin, George Bernard Perkinson of Colonial Heights; and many special friends, particularly Debbie Blick Smith of Gloucester, Virginia. Special thanks to the professional and compassionate staff of Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Virginia Beach. We offer our heartfelt thank you to Shenny's Colonial Heights neighbors the Willis' for their decades of friendship and support. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010 in the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard with the Reverend David H. Teschner officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Chester, Virginia. Flowers are welcome or contributions may be made to Richard Bland College, 11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805.