Edd was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee, to the late Ernest and Leona Helton. He was a graduate of Marshall County High School, received his undergraduate degree from MTSU, and his Master’s and Doctorate (Ph.D. ABD) degrees from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Edd was Assistant Superintendent at Chattanooga Area Vocational Technical School, and retired from TVA. He was a very active member, Sunday School teacher, served on the board, and sang in the choir at Calvary Church of the Nazarene and at Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, where he was also a deacon.
He was preceded in death by his siblings: Helen (Jim) White, Roland (Dolly) Helton, Frances (Stanley) Bowden, and Olene (Everett) Williams.
Edd is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Patsy; children: Shaun Helton, Selena (Joe) Carlton, Sharissa (Will) Sutton, and Shana (Randall) Smith; ten grandchildren: Luke Helton; Elijah, Isaiah, Beylan, Reyna, and Hadley Carlton; Abel, Schuylar, Chloe, and Levi Smith; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday, June 26, at Calvary Church of the Nazarene, 4400 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, and a celebration of Edd’s life will ensue at 2 pm with Reverend Preston Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens.
Contributions may be made to Greater Chattanooga Right to Life at RightToLifeChattanooga.org.
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