WILMINGTON — Helen Ray Thompson McClain, 73, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
She was born Aug. 12, 1943, in Dale County, Ala., to the late Lester and Alvie Lee Thompson of Enterprise, Ala.
Helen was the youngest of five girls, growing up in rural Coffee County, Ala. She graduated from Enterprise High School, Enterprise, Ala., in 1961 and moved to Wilmington, N.C., in the spring of 1967 after living in the Azores, El Paso, Texas, and Panama City, Fla.
She was a kindergarten and first grade teacher’s assistant with New Hanover County Schools beginning in 1973 and retiring in 2005. She was a member of Silver Lake Baptist Church since the mid 1970s, where she held numerous roles throughout the years with her favorite being anything involving children and the youth.
Survivors include her daughter, Shirley McClain Cartrette, and her husband, Kevin, of Wilmington, N.C.; granddaughter, Jenna Cartrette of Wilmington, N.C.; grandson, Bryce Cartrette, and his wife, Kristina, of Oahu, HI; sister, Betty Ramsey of Enterprise, Ala.; best friend, Bill McClain of Lexington, Ga.; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 24, at Silver Lake Baptist Church with pastors Steve Gasque and Lenier Furr officiating. The family will receive visitors beginning at 10 a.m., prior to services. A reception will follow the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen’s memory to Silver Lake Baptist Church, 4715 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28412; or Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
A special thanks to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center and everyone who took part in her amazing care during her stay.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
