Bobbie Helms Harding

Bobbie Helms Harding, 81, went home to be with our Lord on April 1, 2025, at Novant Mint Hill Hospital after sudden complications due to congestive heart failure coupled with COPD.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Griffin and Sam Lester Helms, elder sisters Louise Helms Bell, Edith Helms Wright, Virginia Helms (in infancy); elder brothers, Harold Helms and Hoyte Helms. Her surviving siblings include Olin “Pete” Helms of Concord, NC; Shirley Helms Titman, Roger N Helms (Dixie) and Brenda Helms Perkins of Charlotte, NC, Jeanette Helms Yandle, of Sanford, NC. She came into this world on June 4, 1943, in rural Union County, NC. The ninth child of what was to be eleven, she immediately became the favorite of her maternal grandmother, Alice, who lived with the family. In 2022, she was preceded in her death by her loving husband, Ron Gast.

Bobbie attended Unionville School and graduated from Winecoff High School in Concord in 1961. Bobbie held a number of different jobs throughout her working life, primarily in automobile dealerships offices. While Bobbie was not blessed with children, she loved to keep abreast of the lives of her thirteen nieces & nephews, lavishing them with praise and unexpected gifts from her much-loved shopping trips. Her kitties were her babies, having lost Buttercup, a companion of many years in 2024, she rescued Emmie, who thrived under Bobbie’s love and attention.

She lived a full life, traveling, socializing with friends, neighbors and Red Hats, as well as hosting the 50+ Helms at holidays. As her health declined, her busy lifestyle evolved to sitting for hours working puzzles, reading and interacting with Facebook friends. Bobbie attended The Church of the Nazarene in Pineville where she was active in the senior adult programs and helped for several years in their food pantry. If she was not able to attend the service, she worshipped with her church family by watching the service on television.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on May 17, 2025, at 2 pm at the Mausoleum at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte with the Rev. Duncan Puckett presiding.