James Robert Helton

On August 20, 2020, Jim Helton peacefully left the loving arms of his family for the eternal love and comfort of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. James Robert Helton is survived by the love of his life Wylene Moore Helton, who never left his side as he passed at their home in Birmingham.

Jim was born in Elberton, Georgia on June 24, 1937, the second child of Carl James and Laura Dickerson Helton. In the summer of 1959, Jim met Wylene at the First Baptist Church in Atlanta. A year later, Jim and Wylene were married on June 11, 1960 the same day Jim graduated with honors from Georgia Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

In August 1961 he began his career with Southern Bell before taking a leave of absence in December of 1961 to serve his country. Jim served active duty in the Army being stationed at Fort Monmouth, NJ, Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Hood, TX before being deployed to Germany until December 1962.

In 1963 Jim returned to BellSouth where he worked on many projects throughout his career including the deregulation of the telecommunications industry and subsequent mergers. In 1994, Jim retired as an executive with BellSouth with nearly 35 years of service. After retirement, Jim and Wylene enjoyed their grandchildren, traveling and golf.

Jim and Wylene have been active members of Riverchase Baptist Church for many years and adore their church family.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Carl James Helton; his mother Laura Dickerson Helton; his sister Wanda Bone Ginn; his brothers Carl Kenneth Helton, Charles Douglas Helton and Thomas Allan Helton.

He leaves behind his wife, Wylene Moore Helton of Birmingham; daughter Kathy Helton Couper of Atlanta, son-in-law Glenn, grandsons Mitchell and Grant (Ashley, fiancé); son Stanley Robert Helton of Birmingham, daughter-in-law Doran, granddaughters Carlyn Tyree (Brent), great-grandson John Thomas and Charlestan Wood (Matt); and Michael Thomas Helton of Birmingham, daughter-in-law Susie, grandsons Drew and Michael.

Services will be held at Riverchase Baptist Church on Saturday, August 29th at 2pm and may be viewed online at https://www.riverchasebaptist.org/helton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Riverchase Baptist Church (Debt Freedom Campaign) by mail at 2020 Crossvine Road, Hoover, Alabama 35244; or online at https://www.riverchasebaptist.org/giving.