Mary Louise Helm

Mary Louise Helm,84, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida, surrounded by family. She was born on April 20, 1942, in Hinton, West Virginia to C.L. and Bessie Deeds, and moved to Lakeland in 1953.

Mary Lou graduated from Lakeland Senior High School and started working at the age of 16 at Taggart & Peterson. From there she worked for many years at Sonitrol, Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In and Lakes Church, having finally retired in 2025. She married William (Buddy) Helm on September 23, 1961. Mary Lou was much loved and very active in church, having been a member of Lakes Church (formerly First Baptist Church) for over 73 years. She made several mission trips to Brazil and made a trip to Israel in 2018.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband, Buddy, of almost 65 years, son David (Jenna) Helm, daughter Lisa (Robert) Myhrer, grandchildren Samantha Faulkner, Sophia (Nicholas) Bell and Brent Myhrer, sister Hazle (Lamar) Finley, brother Bill Deeds and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother David (Carmen) Deeds.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 on Monday, September 21 in the Chapel at Lakes Church with a service to follow at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Hope for Brazil or to Lakes Church.