Mrs. Daphne Cole Helton age 90, of Roadfork, Stinking Creek, passed away Saturday night April 14 ,2018 at Hazard ARH Hospital, Hazard, KY. She was the daughter of the late Whitley and Lillie Baker Cole born to them on July 18, 1927 in Knox County.
Mrs. Helton was a long time member of the Cole’s Branch Baptist Church of Roadfork (Hammond), where she served as Church Clerk for over 50 years. She loved her family, taking care of flowers and growing and preserving her vegetables, crocheting and working cross word puzzles.
Mrs. Helton graduated from Union College in Barbourville, Ky where she earned her degree and Masters in Education. She touched many lives as a teacher in Knox County School System for 33 years. She began her career in the one and two room schools of Mills, Jackson and Broughton and later finished her last years at Dewitt Elementary.
On November 10, 1945, she united in marriage with Bill Helton and to this union one daughter Glenna Helton Ledford was born. Her husband, Bill, preceded her in death on November 15, 1986.
Other family members to precede her in death were a son-in-law; Henry Ledford, a sister; Myrtle Cole, her brothers; Cloyd and wife Myrtle Cole, Edward Cole, Delmer and wife Rose Cole, Chris and wife Nannie Cole, Earsel and wife Helen Cole, Clint and wife Mona Cole. Brothers-in-law; Walter and wife Dorothy Helton, Hubert and wife Sue Helton and Jack Helton. Sister-in-law; Geneva Helton Carter and husband Elmer and a great great-granddaughter, Shelbi Kate Ledford.
Survivors include her beloved daughter and caretaker, Glenna Ledford; two grandsons she loved unconditionally, Brian Ledford, Jeff Ledford and wife Jennifer of Roadfork; five precious great-grandchildren, Brianna Faith, Joshua Colby, Kristen Hope, Brooklyn Elizabeth and Laura Kathryn Ledford. One brother; Ernest Cole of Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Two sisters-in-law; Zelma Decker of Corbin, Ky and Eleanor Bailey of Bethel, Ohio and a host of cherished nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends to mourn her passing.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday April 18,2018 in the Hopper Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Smith and Rev. James Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Barbourville Cemetery with Brian Ledford, Jeff Ledford, Colby Ledford, Duane Cole, Tyler Young and Leslie Smith serving as pallbearers, Honorary Pallbearers are the Staff of Knox County Home Health and the Staff of CCU at Hazrd ARH. The family will receive friends at Hopper Funeral Home after 6:00 P.M. Tuesday and after 10:00 A.M. Wednesday until the hour of service.
