Glenda Helms-Sterling
Published 10:50 am Monday, August 26, 2019
FRANKLIN — Glenda P. Whitley Helms-Sterling, 83, passed away on Aug. 24, 2019, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.
A native of Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Julian Piland Whitley Sr. and Mamie Scott Whitley, and was also predeceased by her first husband, Durward Wilburn Helms, and a brother, Nelson Scott “Scottie” Whitley.
Glenda was a printing press operator for Franklin Equipment Company for 15 years, and retired from Smith’s Jewelers where she worked as a jeweler for over 10 years. She opened her own business, Red Rooster Ceramics, prior to working at Smith Jewelers.
Glenda was a Cub Scout den mother when her boys were young.
She was a past member of the Shag Club, and enjoyed dancing, crafting, sewing and gardening.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Kenneth Alan Sterling; two sons, Peter Whitley Helms (Monique) and Alan Keith Helms (Star); a sister, Alice W. Jones (Tim); a brother, Julian Piland Whitley Jr. (Sandra); four grandchildren, Amber Helms Ramirez (Hector), Courtney Leigh Helms, Makayla Danielle Helms and Zachery Connor Helms; and six great-grandchildren, Juliana, Gabriel, Ximena, Victor and Samuel Ramirez and Jenesis Helms; a sister-in-law, Cathy Whitley; many nieces and nephews; and her special dog. Sugar Foot.
The graveside service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, in Poplar Spring Cemetery with the Rev. Drew Dunn officiating.
The celebration of her life with fun and fellowship will be at 3 p.m. on Wednesday in Fred’s Restaurant.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday in Wright Funeral Home, and suggests that memorial donations be made to the The American Cancer Society.
www.wrightfuneralhome.org.