Vicki Ray Helton

Vicki Lynn Ray Helton, devoted wife and mother, left this world on April 13, 2020 surrounded by her family. She battled small cell lung cancer for 2 years and inspired many along her journey with her faith, strength, perseverance, positive attitude and loving smile. She loved spending time with her husband, kids and grandkids and going to the lake and the beach.

She led an incredible life filled with laughter, travel, and time spent with kids and grandkids. She was an encourager by nature and went out of her way to make everyone around her feel loved and accepted.  One thing that has never changed through it all, Philip, her husband of 32 years, never left her side.

Vicki is survived by her husband, Philip Helton of Culleoka; her children: Rusty Parsons (Fiancé, Ginny) of Pulaski, Shaunda James (Husband, Michael) of Christiana, Kim Collier (Husband, Tony) of Lynnville, Crystal Reeder of Jacksonville, FL; Chad Helton (Wife, Laura) of Columbia; her grandchildren: Reagan and Ryan Parsons, Jackson Fourakre, Abigail and Garrett James, Harley Fryer, Rachel St. Clair, Nichole Ethridge, Helena and Zach Reeder, Shelby, Briar and Tebow Helton. Siblings: Cathy Foreman (Husband, Jesse) of Pulaski, Carolyn Gowey of Knoxville; her father-in-law Herb Helton of Columbia and many nieces and nephews. She loved the children she nannied as her own grandkids: River Umstead and Scotch McConnell.

She is preceded in death by her parents Jack Ray of Shelbyville and Joyce Vanatta of Pulaski; Brother Larry Ray of Pulaski, Granddaughter Anna Grace Fourakre of Pulaski, Mother-in-law Joyce Helton of Lynnville.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral service will be held graveside at the New Zion Cemetery on Thursday, April 16 at 2pm. The procession will begin at Heritage Funeral Home located at 609 Bear Creek Pike in Columbia. The family invites you to participate in a Guard of Honor. Cars will be parked in the New Zion Baptist Church parking lot while the procession passes through.  Participants need to be at the church by 1:30 on Thursday, April 16 ^th . New Zion is located at 1595 Sumac Road in Pulaski. The service will be officiated by Pastor Larry Thomas. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Pallbearers will be Philip Helton, Ryan Parsons, Jeremy Tanarungsekul, Corey Foreman, Colby Ward, Mike Umstead, Robert Jones, Jimmy Kincaid. Honorary Pall Bearers: Tony Collier and Zach Reeder.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Waves of Grace https://www.waves-of-grace.org/ Sarah Cannon Cancer Center: The Sarah Cannon Fund at American Cancer Society P.O. Box 23197 Oklahoma City, OK 73123   New Zion Cemetery Fund 518 Pickens Road Lynnville, TN 38472.