Mary Helen Conner

Mary "Helen" Ledford Conner, 96, of 1620 Allen Branch Road, Sylva, passed away Monday, August 24, 2015, after a courageous and determined battle with Alzheimer's Disease at Skyland Care Center. Helen was born September 21, 1918 in the Conleys Creek area in Jackson County and was the daughter of the late Jeremiah Ledford and Mollie Wykle Ledford Shelton. She married her beloved husband, Alvin Lee Conner, on September 20, 1935 and continued residing the remainder of her life in Sylva. Helen loved her family and her home. She thoroughly enjoyed working in her garden and canning. She diligently attended to her beautiful flowers. She loved good gospel music, always enjoyed the family getting together to "pick and sing." She loved her Lord and Savior and read her Bible more times than can be remembered. She was a member of Wayside Baptist Church. Helen was preceded in death by two sons, Albert Lee Connor at age 49 in Colorado and Larry Leon Connor, also at age 49 in North Carolina. She lost her soul mate and husband, Alvin Lee Conner on November 2, 1989 at age 77. They had been married 54 years. Also preceding her in death were two grandsons, Nolan Gene Connor and Dennis Bryan Connor; brothers Harley, General, William, Glenn, Jimmy and Ray Ledford; sisters Vennie Wyatt, Carrie Ruff, and Ollie Conner, Surviving are a daughter Lena Jo Parris of Sylva; son Jerry Dennis Connor and wife Elizabeth of Sylva; daughter Fannie Conner Frady and husband John of Cullowhee; son Gary Owen Connor, Sr. of Sylva; and daughter Janice Conner Blackwell and husband Benjamin of Tuckasegee. She is also survived by one sister, Eva Nell Parris and husband, Ronnie of Sylva. Helen had 13 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. The funeral service will be Thursday August 27 at 4:00 pm at Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva with Reverend Michael Queen officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends an hour before the service at Appalachian. . .