Patty Helms Griffin

Published 12:42 pm Monday, December 5, 2016

Mrs. Patty Helms Griffin, 96, of Mocksville, died on Dec. 2, 2016 at home with her daughter.

She was born July 26, 1920 in Union County to the late Clarence Price Helms and Maggie Dora Polk Helms. Before moving to the Piedmont section of North Carolina, she lived in Wilmington, Whiteville, Elizabethtown, Charlotte and Jacksonville where she worked at Camp Lejeune. She lived an active life which exemplified her strong Christian faith. She began work at an early age serving as a telephone switch board operator and retired as assistant personnel officer with the Corps of Engineers in Wilmington. She knitted and crocheted while she and her husband, Bill, traveled extensively in their motor home. She was a genuine Southern “lady” who served in prominent leadership positions such as chair of the Junior Woman’s Club and as a hospice volunteer.

She was predeceased by: her husband, William Everett Griffin; an infant son, Bill Jr.; 2 sisters, Kathleen Bunn and Virginia Moore; and a brother, Clarence Helms.

Surviving: a daughter, Phyllis Gough of the home; 2 grandchildren, Susan Cranfill (Chuck) and Steve Cavanaugh (Tonya); and 4 great-grandchildren, Grayson and Seth Cranfill and Ashley and Lilly Cavanaugh.

A celebration of life service will be held at Highland Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem on Dec. 11 with visitation at 3 in the activity building followed by a service in the sanctuary.

Memorials: Hospice of Davie.