Trella A. Helm

Trella A. Helm, age 99 years, 9 months, 6 days, of Wappapello, Mo., passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Poplar Bluff, Mo. She was born June 5, 1920, to Harry and Mittie May (Mullins) Shrum. Trella was a nurturing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 

On October 29, 1938, she married Norman Helm and to this union, seven children were born. 

She was a member of Cornerstone Tabernacle Church in Poplar Bluff. Trella was quite the athlete. 

In her younger days, she loved to play ball and could out-pitch all the boys. She had a certificate in spelling as she was an avid speller. At ninety-eight years old, Trella could keep up her winning streak playing Dominoes, earning her the title, “Domino Queen,” from her grandson, Travis. She enjoyed planting and working in her garden. She also enjoyed sewing, quilting, and planting flowers. 

Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and was known as “Granny” to many outside of the family as well. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of seventy-eight years; her brothers: Roscoe, James, Lester, Fred, Harold, Willis Shrum; her sisters, Velma Helm and Lena Jones; her grandchildren: Jimmy Hudson, Wade Marler, Mitchell Scowden, Cleo Dover; and one great-grandchild, Brent Cooper. 

Trella is survived by her children: Joe Helm and wife, Sandy, of Prescott, Ark., Paul Helm and wife, Thelma, of Puxico, John Henry Helm of Greenville, Larry Gene Helm of Lubbock, Texas, Marie Scowden of Greenville, Georgia Lawery and husband, Don, of St James, Patsy Dillon of Wappapello; twenty-four grandchildren,  sixty-one great-grandchildren, twenty-two great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; sisters: Helen Cable of Shook, and Betty Lapka of Fairview Heights, Ill.; and sisters-in-law: Audrey and Thelma Helm. 

Visitation was Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Ruegg Funeral Home in Greenville. Funeral service was Sunday, March 15, 2020, also at Ruegg Funeral Home, Greenville Chapel. Pastors Stephen Burns, Brad Helm and Steve Bender ministered to the family. Melanie Burns led a congregational song accompanied by pianist, Taylor Crow. Marilyn Scowden and Pastor Brad Helm gave a heartfelt eulogy. Sam Dillon, Drew Dillon, Ben Dillon, Easton Marler, Dillon Brown, and Jett Hancock served as pallbearers. Burial followed in the Helm Family Cemetery, Shook, Mo. 

Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com