Mary Idelta Smith Helmick
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Mary Idelta Smith Helmick, age 83 of Worthington Dr., Bridgeport, passed away at 10:00 AM Thursday morning, January 5, 2006 at United Hospital Center, Clarksburg. She was born September 14, 1923 in Buckhannon, WV, a daughter of the late John David Smith and the late Mary Bell Cunningham Smith.
Survivors include her three children Stephen D. Helmick of Boothsville, Edward M. Helmick of Bridgeport and Mary A. Pearson of Sarasota, FL; seven grandchildren Stephen Helmick, Tina Louise Helmick – Johnson, Renee Helmick, Jaime Cava, Marty Helmick, Stacy Pearson and Casey Helmick; 8 great-grandchildren including Jacob Helmick, Breanna Helmick, Kyle Johnson, Reese Johnson, Paige Johnson, Tanner Cava, Taylor Cava and Sophia Cava; two sisters Patty Schweinbrater Allman and her husband Bud of Bridgeport and Virginia Titus of Virginia; two daughters-in-law Nancy Helmick and Sharon Helmick; a former son-in-law Carl Pearson and several nieces and nephews including Dave Andrew, Janet Hess, Robert Andrew, Abe Gawthrop, Joyce Wright, Patty Campbell, John Titus, Diane and Lynn Smith, Marilyn Smith, Keith Schweinbraten, Betty Ann Inge.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years Martin Dale “Hick” Helmick on July 29, 2004; two sisters Levene Andrew and Elaine Davidson and one brother John D. Smith, II.
Mary was a member of the Bridgeport Baptist Church and the Church Mission Circle. Mrs. Helmick and her husband owned and operated Helmick’s Market on Philadelphia Ave. in Bridgeport for more than 40 years. Many area residents can remember as children growing up in Bridgeport the kindness and generosity shown to them by the Helmicks throughout the years.
Her love of gardening and flowers inspired her and Elsie Mullenex to form the Governor Johnson Garden Club in 1955. She was the only living charter member and served as president of the club in 1963 and 1965. On April 19, 2005, she helped celebrate the club’s 50-year anniversary. Many people remember her homes to be gardening showplaces. She and her husband also had a residence at Rock Lake, where she would welcome the garden councils and people who just wanted to see her massive collection of flowers. She was also a charter member, life member and past president of the Monongahela Cheat District Garden Councils and a past member of the madrigal singers.
Friends will be received at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Ave., Bridgeport from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday, January 8, 2006. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Monday in the funeral home with Pastor Tom Edgell presiding. Interment will follow in the Bridgeport Cemetery.