Helen Elizabeth Wells Toole age 95, passed away Monday, January 5, 2015 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Helen was born December 1, 1919 in Shelby, NC to the late Charles H. and Tonce Walker Wells.
She is survived by son James P. Toole, Jr. and wife Mary Esther. Also surviving are grandson James P. Toole, III (Jamie) and fiancé Karen Rogers of Shelby and granddaughter Margaret Elizabeth Toole (Marlie) of Gastonia, NC. She is further survived by great grandson James P. Toole IV (Jay) of Matthews, NC. She is also survived by an extended family of 18 nieces and nephews and their families and numerous cousins.
Helen was preceded in death by husband Lt. James P. Toole, Sr. and five brothers and sisters and spouses: Rachel (Wells) Hobbs (June) of Williamsburg, VA; Charles H. Wells, Jr. (Sue) of Shelby, NC; Mary (Wells) Wray (Charles) of Shelby, NC; Judge Hugh Wells (Ann) of Shelby, NC; Lucile (Wells) Turner (Max) of Charlotte, NC.
Helen retired from Belk’s in Shelby at the age of 80 after more than 40 years of service. She was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church. She was a past Board Member of the Hawaii Baptist Children’s Academy, Honolulu, Hawaii. She was a member of Cleveland Country Club where she was active in several bridge clubs. Helen was a member of The Shelby Junior Charity League. She was an avid traveler having visited numerous countries in Europe, South America, Canada, Africa, Russia, the Middle East and sites throughout the United States.
The family extends their gratitude to the staffs of Kings Mountain Hospice House, Hospice Palliative Care, Cleveland Pines, and Cleveland Regional Medical Center.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday, January 10, 2015 at Central United Methodist Church in Shelby, NC with Dr. Joe Collins officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church 200 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28150; Kings Mountain Hospice House 321 Kings Mountain Blvd. Kings Mtn., NC; Cleveland Memorial Library 104 Howie Dr. Shelby, NC; Hawaii Baptist Academy 420 Wyllie Street, Honolulu, HI 96817.
