Mary Evelyn Hanson Helton

Evelyn Helton, 75, of Kingsport, died peacefully at home Friday, February 17, 2012.

She was a beloved mother and grandmother and a native of Hansonville, Russell County, Virginia. She was a graduate of Lebanon High School and attended Emory & Henry College. Evelyn was active in alumni affairs serving on the Board of Visitors of the college.

As a volunteer and civic leader, she served as President of the following organizations, Bristol Junior Women's Club, Linne Garden Club, Border Guild Junior League of Bristol, Virginia Club of Kingsport, Questers "Sunbonnet Chapter", Netherland Inn/Exchange Place Association. From 1968 to 1970, Evelyn was Vice-President and State junior Director of the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs. She was selected for Community Leaders of Virginia in 1976-77.

Her interests were varied and she was a past director of: Vaten School of Crafts, Bristol Speech and Hearing Center, Bristol Boys Club, Bristol YWCA, Mt. Empire Speech & hearing Center, Virginia Easter Seal Society, Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center.

Her working years were spent over a 25 year period in the medical field. She was an active member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Kingsport and several historical societies in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Helton; and her parents, Mary Margaret Williams Hanson and Frank Major Hanson, Jr.

Survivors include two sons, David J. Helton of Decatur, GA and Philip S. Helton, daughter-in-law, Rebecca Dean Helton, two grandsons, J. Keith Helton and Kyle Hagen Helton, one great-grandson, Bradley Keith Helton, all of Kingsport; one sister, Doris Kay Hanson, Lebanon, VA; one brother, Frank M. Hanson III and wife Cynthia, Abingdon, VA; one niece, Mrs. Joe Virginia Lynn Leonard, Lebanon, VA; three nephews, Andrew M. Hanson and wife Victoria, Bristol, TN, Tim L. Helton, Roanoke, VA, and Matt C. Helton, Bristol, VA; brother-in-law, Wiley H. Helton and wife Mary Alice of Bristol, VA; two great-nieces and three great-nephews, Ransom A., J. Taylor and Julie Ellen Leonard, Maxwell M. and Sydney Marie Hanson.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport.

The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Jack Edwards and Rev. Jack P. Weikel officiating.

Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Bristol, VA.

Memorials may be given to Emory & Henry College, Alumni House; Wellmont Foundation-Jim Helton, Leukemia Service; First Broad Street United Methodist Church; or the Netherland Inn/Exchange Place Association.