Doyle Helms
Photograph of Doyle, obtained from his obituary.
Doyle McKinnon Helms was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, a cherished friend to many and an honourable American. He built his community in North Carolina, born in Murphy on July 6th, 1947 to Ward McKinnon and Ola Mae Cook Helms, and remained a longtime resident. He proudly served his country overseas in Vietnam for over two years as an Aircraft Marksman on the UH-1 and completed his service as an Aircraft Maintenance Crewman, before being honorably discharged as an E-5 Specialist in 1969. He earned many awards and medals for his service, including an Aircraft Crewman Badge; Vietnam Service Medal; 2 Overseas Bars; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Marksman M-14; Air Medal and The National Defense Service Medal. Following his service he joined his wife Darlene Pope in marriage on December 4th, 1977 at Freedom Baptist Church in Monroe, beginning a career in construction until he retired in 2008. Doyle was devoted to and enthusiastic about his pastimes, spending his time cooking, hunting, being on the lake in his pontoon boat and camping with close friends. He loved being outside and working with his hands, immersing himself in the world. He also nurtured a true interest in history, keenly telling anyone who would listen a good story or even a fish tale.
On December 31, 2020, Doyle tragically passed away from COVID-19 at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC. He was incarcerated at Alexander Correctional Institution at the time. He was hospitalized for COVID-19 on December 7, but his condition deteriorated rapidly, and he struggled to catch his breath and ran a fever. By his third day in hospital, Doyle had been placed on a ventilator. With his wife Darlene’s permission, he was taken off the ventilator on December 30th. One small mercy was that his wife, daughter and granddaughter were able to visit him that day. Doyle opened his eyes briefly when he was taken off the ventilator. He died the next day.
Doyle had been scheduled for release at the end of March 2021. It was soon after his transfer to Alexander Correctional, home to one of the state’s largest COVID-19 outbreaks, that Doyle contracted COVID-19. Amanda Wooten, Doyle’s daughter, told The Charlotte Observer that she felt her father would have been safer if he had not been transferred to the facility, which has had at least 300 positive cases since March 2020, including more than 100 cases in December alone.
Doyle and his family were failed by North Carolina’s prison system, handed an unjust death sentence due to mismanagement. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Helms; his daughters, Donna Coble, Celena Hayes, Amanda Wooten (Isaac) and Jennifer Hall; his grandchildren, Lindsey Edleblute (Jacob), Deshaune and Amyah Hall, Sophia and Wyatt Wooten, Alayah and Avonah Hall; his brother, Bryan Helms and by his sister, Cathy Heflin. He joins in death his father, Ward McKinnon Helms; his mother, Ola Mae Cook Helms; his step-father, Ronald Van Helms and his siblings, Linda Alexander (2019), Jerry Helms (2015), Bruce Helms (2012) and Jimmy Helms (2009).
Doyle’s presence will be sorely missed. He was remembered by his friends Don and Vickie Briningstool as a “very kind and thoughtful person that loved the Lord and [was] always willing to help anyone.” May his light and love still radiate through his community through the fish tales and stories he shared.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Cecile Ramin with information from reporting by Ames Alexander of The Charlotte Observer, his obituary and a release by the Patriot Guard Riders.