We lost a very dear member of our church family today. Helen Grooms passed away February 24, 2012. She was beloved by all. Helen loved her family and church family with all of her heart. Her "boys" always were her pride and joy. She will now watch all of them from above. She will be dearly missed.
Obituary: Helen Wheeler Grooms, 83, of Newport a devoted member of the First Christian Church entered her heavenly home Friday morning, February 24, 2012 at Fort Sanders Regional Hospital in Knoxville. She was a devoted member of the William Cocke chapter of DAR. And was retired nurse having worked for Dr. Drew Mims and Dr. Fred M. Valentine, Jr. One of her great joys was being able to help people. She was a U.T. Vol fan and very proud of her great grandson Kris Cates. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Grooms, daughter, Jane Ann, parents Roy and Pearl Matthews Wheeler, sister, Anna Lou Smithpeters, brother, Reece Wheeler, son in law, Ronald Cates, granddaughter, Donna Cates Verdi, grandson, Michael Cates. She is survived by her loving sons and daughters in laws, Bobby and Carole, Reece and Cheryl, Jimmy Dale and Tammy and daughter Jo Cates, grandchildren, Brian and wife Terry, Travis, Josh, Cody, Jake, Rhonda, Reece, 8 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, brothers and sisters in laws, R.J. and Polly Wheeler, Guy and Faye Wheeler, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends and neighbors and her church family. Funeral service will be 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 26, 2012 at the Manes Funeral Home Chapel with burial 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2012 in the Union Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6:00 until 8:00 pm Sunday prior to the service.
