Helen Grace Gilmer, age 87, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Monday, July 26, 2010, at the Baptist Health Medical Center in Heber Springs. Born November 28, 1922, in Heber Springs, she was the daughter of the late Casper and Lillie Allen Sykes.
Mrs. Gilmer was a retired seamstress for Kellwood where she was employed for twelve years. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Mrs. Gilmer was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Lee Gilmer, on December 15, 1998. Other family members who preceded her in death include her parents; four brothers, Millard Sykes, Ralph Sykes, Casper Sykes, and Joseph Sykes; and two sisters, Ellen Garrett and Ruth Sykes.
Mrs. Gilmer is survived by five sons, Herman Lee Gilmer, Jr. and his wife, Bonnie, of Cabot, Charles Wesley Gilmer, Kenneth Stephen Gilmer and his wife, Debbie, and Dennis Marvin Gilmer and his wife, Le Donna, all of Heber Springs, and John Wayne Gilmer and his wife, Ginger, of Guy; four daughters, Loretta Marie James and her husband, Gerald, of Sheridan, Margaret Ann Boothby and her husband, James, of Batesville, Edna Ruth Bigham and her husband, Buck, of McCrory, and Elizabeth Darnell Baker and her husband, Wendel, of Mt. Vernon; three brothers, John Sykes, James Sykes, and Allen Sykes; three sisters, Martha Golden, Florence Jones, and Faye Love; 18 grandchildren and many great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. Mrs. Gilmer is also survived by other relatives and her many friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 29, at 10:30 a.m. in the Olmstead Chapel with Bishop Ron Tillman officiating. Interment followed in the Heber Springs Cemetery. Kevin Summerville, Jim Boothby, Jerry Allen Stone, Brad Baker, Shawn Gilmer, and Zack James served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer was Marvin Stone.
Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home. www.olmstead.cc
