Catherine Cobb Helms, 88, a longtime Chattanooga resident and prominent community leader died Wednesday, May 4, 2016.
Some people consider 13 an unlucky number, but September 13, 1927, was a lucky day for Florence Allen Cobb and Guy Taylor Cobb, Sr. as they welcomed their daughter (Martha) Catherine into their lives.
Catherine called Cordele, Ga., her home. She always spoke with fondness about life in the South where she grew up with her older brother and younger sister learning to ride horses and shoot rattlesnakes, skills that she learned from her father.
Catherine’s love of learning was reflected in her academic achievements. She regularly achieved honor roll and enjoyed all facets of school life. In 1947 at the age of 19 she graduated from Huntingdon College with a BA degree in English and Speech and later became the first woman to earn her Masters of Education from the University of Tennessee (Chattanooga).
She left Cordele when she married Nolan Davis Helms in September of 1947 and soon after began raising her family in Atlanta, before settling into Chattanooga in 1955.
She loved being a part of her children’s school life, which included serving as a den mother, an active PTA member, and room mother for many years (as having four sons kept her signing up).
Catherine was very active in her church homes as well. She belonged to the family of Brainerd Presbyterian Church and moved to Rivermont Presbyterian Church when she and Nolan moved. In retirement she belonged to First Presbyterian Church. She volunteered for a variety of positions over the years which included being a Circle leader, Bible teacher, and President of the Presbyterian Women. Whatever the position, she always brought her characteristic energy and wit. No job was too small or too big for her to enjoy.
Next to family and church, Catherine’s love was for her community, especially for children and adults who struggled with reading. In 1965 she became the Assistant Director of the UTC Junior League Reading center and then its director in 1967. She was truly in her element when she began her work in 1972 as director of YMCA Reading Programs, which she continued for the next 20 years of her life. Catherine loved the Y and continued to be active by serving as a Y board member locally, regionally, and internationally. Catherine found her calling as a servant who dedicated herself to giving others skills they needed to improve their own lives.
A few of the many ways that she has cared for others near and far include serving on the board of directors of Big brothers/Big Sisters, the Board of the American Cancer Society, the Tennessee International Reading Association, the Chattanooga Little Theater Associates, Member of Review Book Club, and Daughters of the American Revolution.
In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by her husband Nolan Davis Helms Sr. and her brother Guy T. Cobb Jr. She is survived by her sister, Merrilyn Barry of Albany, GA and her four sons; Nolan Davis Jr. (Mary) of Signal Mountain, Don (Sandye) of Chattanooga, Rob (Marilyn) of Raleigh, NC, and Guy (Kathy) of Worland, WY; also eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Robert Row officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the connector at First Presbyterian Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Mission fund, 544 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 374o5; or Siskin Children’s Institute, 1101 carter St., Chattanooga, TN 37406.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com