Helen Lentz

[caption id="attachment_3094" align="alignleft" width="112" caption="United At Last"][/caption] Mrs. Mary Helen Payne Lentz, 95, resident of Statesville, died peacefully March 7, 2012 at Gordon Hospice House. Helen was a native of Iredell County. She was born July 17, 1916 in Olin, NC during the worst flood in North Carolina history, and was the daughter of Lonnie P. Payne and Sadie Austin Payne. She received her education in Iredell County and graduated from Scotts High School. She was married to Martin Samuel (Jack) Lentz on December 21, 1935 at the Cool Springs parsonage. Jack died on March 5, 1987. Helen and Jack owned Home Bakery of Statesville in the 50's, but both retired from the textile industry. Helen was one of the 49 charter members of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. She served in Bible school, a nursery watcher and served as Communion Steward for many years. She was the oldest active member at age 95 and remained a faithful church and civic member until her death. Helen loved to sew, bake, cook and especially read her library books. Helen was interested in everything but nothing interested her as much as her family, her church and her friends, but most of all the Bible. Helen is survived by one daughter, Diane Lentz Howren (Greg) of Charlotte, as well as one son, Tony "Cotton" Lentz (Deane) of Statesville. Granny also is survived by three grandsons, Chris Cook, Austin Lentz and Derek Lentz; along with four great grandchildren, Cole, Travis, Xavier and Olivia, one sister, Margaret P. Carter of Statesville and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one sister, Nancy Hager and three brothers, L.P., Thomas and Charles Payne. Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2012 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Karen Miller and Rev. Gervase Hitch officiating. Pallbearers will be nephews, Mike Hager, Dennis Carter, Thomas Payne, David Payne and grandsons, Chris, Austin and Derek. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Nicholson Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2012. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Helen Lentz may be made to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Adult Fellowship, 825 Wesley Dr., Statesville, NC 28677 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Helen P. Lentz. "Helen will remain an inspiration to all who knew her. Her faith and loving compassion was shared with all of us daily and her precious smile will remain in our hearts forever."