Loretta Helms Washam

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on January 1st, 1938, Loretta graduated from East Mecklenburg High School and Brevard College. She went on to have a successful career at BellSouth for 30 years, where she met Hal, the love of her life. They married in 1967. For those 55 years they enjoyed family, friends, traveling together and golf. Their love and marriage was an inspiration to those around them. Not a day went by, where they did not share a good morning kiss and an “I love you” when they were together. They were each other’s biggest fans, and the care Hal gave to Loretta in her later years could not be matched.

Loretta had a way of making everyone feel special. Her smile and her personality was infectious, and she quickly became friends with those she met. She had many “close” friends that were like family to her. Whether as a friend, a sister, an aunt or a manager at work, Loretta gave unending support and unconditional love. She enjoyed more than anything helping others succeed.

While Loretta never had children of her own, she was affectionately known as “Maw Maw or Retta” to her nieces and nephews, and their children. She truly was a second mother and grandmother to many and the matriarch of her extended family. Each of the kids felt it was a treat to spend time with her. Whether staying overnight at her house, playing putt-putt, shopping or anything else, she made those times special. Christmas and Easter at her house were favorite family traditions that will be missed by everyone.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Hal Washam; her sister, Beverly Hanft (Shel); and her brothers, Larry Helms and Ronnie Helms (Sarah); along with many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Estelle Helms and her sister, Mary Helms Hicks.

A service for Loretta will be held at her church where she was a former elder and active member for many years, Amity Presbyterian Church, on Tuesday, November 8, at 2:00 pm. Interment will be held in Sharon Memorial Park immediately afterward.

In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Post Office Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or Amity Presbyterian Church, 2831 N. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28205.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com for the Washam/Helms family.