Penny Lee Helton

On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, Penny Lee Helton, loving mother of Sam and Sadie, passed away at age 49 after an extended battle with cancer.  Her pain turned into praise as she is now in the presence of Jesus in heaven.

Penny was born February 3, 1971 in Tuscon, AZ and raised in Mobile, Alabama with her sister, Karen Snodgrass of Woodbridge, VA, by her father, David Jones (deceased) and her mother, Virginia (Ginger) Day of Harrisburg, NC.  Penny spent the bulk of her life as a resident of Harvest, Alabama.

While at Calhoun studying nursing, Penny found a sister-by-choice in Terra Jarrell. Terra and her husband, Hunt, and sons Michael and Mason have proved to be extended family to Penny. Hunt’s parents, Tom and Judy Jarrell, have been surrogate grandparents showing love to Penny and her children.

After graduating from Calhoun, she found her first love as an ER nurse serving in hospitals in Madison, Huntsville and Athens.  During this time, she found a second love, her husband Sammy Helton and together they added to their world and ours Sam, 12 and Sadie, 11.  Sadly, Sammy died in 2016. Penny has bravely carried on.

As a child, she was known as Little Miss Sunshine with a personality that brightened the room. She was the joy of her mother’s heart.

That personality along with a brilliant mind, infectious smile, generous spirit and courageous heart has continued and has earned her the love and respect of scores of people. She will be sorely missed.

In light of the covid quarantine, there will be no memorial service.  A celebration of life will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome at the following gofundme site.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/first-responder-family-in-desperate-need