Woodrow T. Helm

On Sunday, November 21, 2010, he took a deep breath, closed his eyes and walked into the arms of his Lord and Savior. He exemplified the words of scripture the race is not given to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to he who endures to the end. Woodrow T. Helm was born June 9, 1935 to Solon Helm and Mary Spotswood Helm in Bent Mountain, Virginia. He was educated in the Roanoke County School System. He professed his faith in Christ and was taken to the water at an early age in Bent Mountain, Virginia. He would later relocate to Ohio where he lived and worked until his death. As an adult, Woody, as he was affectionately called, loved trucks and became a CDL driver for the Yellow Freight Trucking Company where he was employed for over 10 years until he was incapacitated by illness. During that time, he met and married his life partner, Joann and together they were the owners and operators of Woody Jo's Ribs for 38 years. Woody loved people and was always ready for a conversation. His illness did not change his spirit, he never complained and always had an encouraging word. He had a kind heart and live his life with integrity and bravery. He was preceded in death by his parents, Solon Helm, Sr. and Mary Spotswood Helm. He leaves to mourn a devoted wife of 45 years, Joann Helm, children, Ricky, Michelle and Rita Ann Helm; stepchildren, Sherwood Hill, Lynetta Crumpler and Mario Helm; three brothers, Robert Helm, Harold (Annetta) Helm, Solon (Rita) Helm, Jr., four sisters, Berta Mae Kasey, Norvella Helm, Roanoke, Virginia, Dorothy Smith, White Plains, New York and Ann Womack, Roanoke, Virginia; 15 grand children, 7 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.