Gale Helton Hess, of Southport, died peacefully Thursday, June 5, 2014, at her residence. She was surrounded by her beloved dogs, her husband and her brother. She fought a gallant, courageous, painful and brave battle with breast cancer over the past 13 months. She was 61.
She graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1975 and received her master’s degree in education at North Carolina Central University in Durham in 1986. She taught school in the Wake County Public School System, starting at Willow Springs Elementary School, then taught at Wendell Elementary School and retired from Brassfield Elementary School in June of 2007. After her retirement, she tutored for two years at Virginia Williams Elementary School in Bolivia.
Mrs. Hess was an extremely dedicated and conscientious teacher who worked long and hard to challenge her students so they would achieve success in all areas of life. She also inspired many of her students to become elementary teachers and they are successful teachers today.
In addition to teaching, Mrs. Hess loved working in her yard, planting and tending to her many beautiful flowers and plants.
She was a very loving and caring person who was a great influence on her husband during his teaching and coaching career. She attended all of his athletic events, both home and away, for over 30 years and was loved and respected by many of her husband’s basketball and soccer student athletes.
Mrs. Hess also had a tremendous love for animals, especially her beloved dogs and cats. She volunteered her time to helping rescued dogs and cats find their forever homes and adopted many dogs throughout her life; she loved and cared dearly for them all. She is now in heaven with her many dogs and cats who preceded her in death. The school bell is ringing in heaven today. God has a new elementary teacher for all his young angels.
She was born in Atlanta on May 12, 1953, daughter of the late Harold W. Helton and Dorothy Reeves Helton.
She is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Chuck Hess; brother, Gary Helton and his wife, Nancy, of Raleigh; niece, Caroline Helton, of Raleigh; four beloved puppies, Ellie, Greta, Carlos and Walter; and many friends, co-workers and students.
A celebration of her life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014, at the Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service in Southport. The services will be conducted by the Rev. David Haley, Pastor of Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
The family would like to thank the Lower Cape Fear Hospice of Brunswick and New Hanover County for all their kindness and support during Mrs. Hess’ last two months of life. A special thank-you to hospice nurse Sandy Duncan, who was instrumental in helping Mrs. Hess finish her journey at her home, surrounded by her beloved puppies, loving husband and brother.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in memory of Mrs. Hess to the SECU Hospice, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, NC 28422.
Online condolences may be sent to www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.
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