Mayor David P. Helms

Marion, Va.

Marion Mayor David P. Helms, age 83 passed away following a brief illness with his beloved wife Sue at his bedside.

He was born in Glade Spring, Va. in 1940. Mayor Helms graduated from Glade Spring High School, and Emory & Henry with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Education from Radford University. He took additional classes from the University of Virginia. He began teaching at Meadowview Elementary in Washington County and later taught at Glade Spring Elementary. He became a teacher at Marion Intermediate School and soon after was serving as Assistant Principal at Marion Primary School. Mayor Helms was promoted to principal of Marion Primary School in 1973, where he served until his retirement from secondary education in 2000. He served for several years on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, including two years as chairman of SCAS Virginia Elementary Committee. He was named Outstanding Educator by Francis Marion VFW Post 4667 in April 1999. Always the public servant, Helms served as a member of the Glade Spring Town Council 1968 – 1970, Marion Town Council 1990 – 2000, Mayor of Marion 2000 until present. He served on the Executive Committee for the Virginia Municipal League and as President 2013 – 2014. He served on Mount Rogers Planning Commission as an original Board member and Board of Directors. He was instrumental in success of Marion Downtown Revitalization. He worked with Francis Marion VFW Post 4667, East Tennessee Chapter of Rolling Thunder and other Veterans groups. He was named Citizen of the Year by Marion Noon Rotary in 2005. He has worked with the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive for over 20 years. He remained active in many organizations and events, including projects ranging from the local VFW and Memorial Day activities to bringing and expanding his college alma-mater into Marion with the Emory & Henry College of Health and Sciences. Mayor David P. Helms will be remembered for his unwavering support of the hallmarks of his life -  Patriotism, Public Service and Community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy B. and Pearl Helms; sisters, Mary Jo Price, Roslyn Holmes, Martha Hoots, Johnene Helms; brother, Roy S. Helms; brothers-in-law, Russell Price and Eugene Holmes; sister-in-law, Anne Helms; nephew, Andrew Holmes; nieces, Martha Jo Price and Cindy Helms Hicks; father and mother-in-law, J.C. and Maude Winesett; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Tommy Barnett; beloved dogs, Hokie, Mr. Frisk and Freckles.

Mayor Helms is survived by his wife Sue Winsett Helms; brother-in-law, Clyde Hoots; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families.

Mayor David P. Helms will lie in state Monday, March 25, 2024 from 2 until 7 p.m. at Fraziers' Seaver-Brown Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 7 p.m. with Pastor Harry Howe, Pastor Mike Sage, Pastor Natalie Justice and Pastor Frank Branson officiating. There will be a private family graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667, Memorial Day Fund P.O. Box 767, Marion VA 24354  or the Smyth County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1124, Marion VA 24354.

To share memories of Marion Mayor David P. Helms please visit, www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Mayor Helms has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.