Mother Carolyn Helm was born on December 8, 1969, in Tampa, Florida, to the late J.D. Pugh and Curlie Williams. She remained in her beloved hometown until her peaceful transition on July 18, 2026. Carolyn was the youngest of nine siblings. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior in November 1991 under the pastorate of Bishop Michael Lewis.

Carolyn was educated in the Hillsborough County Public School System and graduated from Jefferson Senior High School. She was known for her quiet spirit, kind heart, and generous nature. During the last decade of her life, Carolyn’s health began to decline, eventually preventing her from continuing to work. She was last employed in the Medical Records Department at BayCare Hospital St. Petersburg.

On June 12, 2026, Carolyn and her beloved husband, Elder Ernest Helm, Jr., celebrated 25 years of marriage and unwavering devotion to one another while at her hospital bedside—a beautiful testament to their enduring love and commitment. Carolyn’s presence, love, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her father, J.D. Pugh; mother, Curlie Williams; sister, Diann Melton; grandmother, Esther Felton; mother-in-law, Wilma Helm, father-in-law, Ernest Helm, Sr; uncle, Ernest Felton; aunt, Alberta Richardson; cousins, Charles Felton, JoAnn Felton, Troy Bacon, and Geneva Helm.

She leaves to cherish precious memories with her husband, Elder Ernest Helm, Jr.; brothers, JD Pugh III, Kenny Pugh, Rev. Lorinza Howard(Celeste), Robert Lee and Rubin Lee; sisters, Cynthia Ellis Wright, V. Maxine Howard, Cheryl Lee, Twanda Howard; uncle, Nathaniel Felton; nephews, Richard Wilson, Jr(Pauline), Maurice Perkins(Ursula), Kyle Brown, Lorinza Howard, Jr (Monica); cousins, Twanda Taylor (Walter), Tonya Snelling, Robert Watkins, Larry Watkins (MaryAnna), Ernest Hayses (Sandra); brother-in-law, John Helm (Denise), Charles Helm (Marilyn), James Brown; sister-in-law, LaCrecia Helm, Ernestine Brown and a host of other sorrowing relatives, dear friends, and loved ones who will forever cherish her memory.