Helen Iola Withers

Thursday, July 11th, 2024 this world lost a gentle, kind, loving soul; and it has left a hole in the hearts of her family. Helen, 71, was born on June 12th, 1953 in Gastonia to parents Edsel and Virginia Dare Lay Withers. Though she spent about a fifteen year stint as a resident of Hilton Head Island, SC; Helen spent the majority of her life living in Dallas, and was proud to be a part of the last graduating class from the old Dallas High School in 1971.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by brother Gerald Douglas Withers, a sister Martha Perry Withers, and a special nephew Anthony Brande McGinnis.

Helen had set out in life to become a teacher, but health issues that persisted with her for the remainder of her time here on earth, put a halt to those dreams. Though she never had children of her own, or children in a classroom, she loved all her nieces and nephews greatly.

Helen is survived by her brothers, John Withers (Jeanette), Morrisville, NC; Lewis Withers (Cindy), Charlotte; Joe Withers (Cecille), Dallas; and Tommy Withers (LeAnne), Dallas. She is survived by sisters: Teresa Porter (Alex), Concord; Rachel Withers (Dean McElveen), Gastonia; her twin sister Ellen McGinnis (Tony), Dallas; Catherine Jamieson (Gene), Simpsonville, SC, Chris; and sister-in-law, Mary H. Withers, Belmont. She also leaves behind her beloved nieces and nephews; Ánna Withers, Leigh Schoonover (Preston), Seth Withers (Rachel), Ben Withers (Mandie), Preston Porter (Sadie), Alexandra Porter, Sarah Withers, Gerald Withers, Edsel Withers, Charles Withers, Brad Withers (Erica), Andrew Withers (Jessica), Katie LaPointe (Steve), Christopher Jamieson, Patrick Jamieson, and Zachary, along with over a dozen grandnieces and grandnephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the additional loving and professional care that Helen received from the staffs of SYNERGY HomeCare of Gastonia, and Always Family Senior Care of Dallas.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 14th at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home, with a Funeral service for Helen is being held there at the funeral home at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel with Reverend Shea Berbaum officiating. A Service of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 15th in Belmont Abbey Cemetery With Deacon Bill Melton officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in memory of Helen be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 708 St. Michael’s Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home for assisting the family with final arrangements for Helen.