Helen Martha Millsaps Dickey, 93, of Murphy, passed away Monday, May 24, 2021.
She was born the daughter of Cloia and Earl Millsaps of the Tomotla community in Cherokee County. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward Brittain Dickey, who died Oct. 27, 2010; three brothers, Maynard, Wayne and Boyd Millsaps; two sisters, Roberta McHan and Fannie Anderson; and a beloved sister-in-law, Blanche Millsaps.
Helen attended Tomotla Elementary School as a child. When the Fontana Dam was under construction, she attended Almond Public School in Swain County. She had also attended Murphy High School.
Helen was a FDR Democrat and was usually an election worker. She did, on occasion, support friends and family of the other parties. Helen always looked forward to a debate with the “Lunch Crew” at Main Street USA. She loved politics.
Helen was a founding member of Olde Town Florist Inc. and served two terms on the Cherokee County DSS Board. She ran the farms at Peachtree and Bear Paw with the help of her family.
Helen and her husband, Ed, helped with the Methodist Youth Fellowship at First United Methodist Church in the early to mid-1960s with the help of friend David Hyatt.
She was a member of Shepherd of the Mountains, but had attended Tomotla United Methodist Church and Murphy First United Methodist.
She helped Margaret Warner sell items to support the World War II effort and was very proud to have done so. Helen loved her town, former mayor Bill Hughes and the local town council.
She was a member of the Eastern Star in Marble.
Helen survived typhoid fever as a child and Covid-19 this past summer. She took her vaccine as soon as she was able. Helen firmly believed in vaccines, having seen the benefits from the polio vaccine.
Surviving are her two sons, Jerry Dickey and Frank Dickey and wife Cynthia, all of Murphy; sisters-in-law, Sue Hubbard and “Kat” Millsaps; many grandchildren; great grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter, Chloe; many nieces and nephews, with whom Helen kept in contact; and extended family.
A private funeral service will be held and officiated by the Rev. Al Beck. Interment will follow at Sunset Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in honor of Helen Martha Millsaps Dickey to Tomotla Community Cemetery Fund, C/O Alene Keener, 397 Hayes Road, Marble, NC 28905; or to Shepherd of the Mountains Church, 68 Fairfax Drive, Murphy, NC 28906.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.