Jesse L. Helms

Jesse Lee Helms, Sr.
31st Mayor of Greenville, South Carolina
In office July 10, 1979 – November 7, 1982
Preceded by	James H. Simkins
Succeeded by	Harry B. Luthi
Member of the Greenville City Council
In office 1973 – May 14, 1979
Preceded by	Wayne Wuestenberg (District 5)
Succeeded by	Clifford Gaddy, Jr. (at-large)
Personal details
Born	June 7, 1909
Died	November 7, 1982 (aged 73)
Resting place	Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Louise Phyllis Hunnicutt Helms
Children	Ann H. Eastland Two deceased: Doris Louise Blair Major Jesse L. Helms, Jr. Ten grandchildren
Residence	Greenville, South Carolina
Occupation	Businessman: Southern Foods Company
Religion	Presbyterian Church of America

Not related to the late U.S. Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina

Jesse Lee Helms, Sr. (June 7, 1909 – November 7, 1982), was a businessman who served as the 31st mayor of Greenville, South Carolina from the summer of 1979 until his death in office three and a half years later. He served from 1973 until his election as mayor on the Greenville City Council, partly in District 5 and also as an at-large member.^[1]

Helms operated Southern Foods Company. His son, United States Army Major Jesse L. Helms, Jr. (c. 1946-2013), worked in the company too until it was sold to PYA Monarch, after which the junior Helms was employed as an investment broker and insurance agent.^[2] Helms and his wife, the former Louise Phyllis Hunnicutt (1914-2008), a native of Maryville in Blount County in eastern Tennessee, also had two daughters, Ann H. Eastland of Greenville and Doris Louise Blair (1937-2006), a victim of cancer.^[3] The family was affiliated with the Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church of America, a conservative congregation in Greenville. The Helmses are interred at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville.^[4]

In the 1980 presidential election, Helms was an early donor to former Governor John B. Connally, Jr., of Texas, who withdrew from consideration after amassing only delegate in the early portion of the campaign.^[5]

See also

• Max Heller
• Knox H. White
• R. Cooper White, Jr.
• Bill Workman

References

1. "Historical Archives: Mayors and Intendants, with photos". greenvillesc.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
2. "Major Jesse L. Helms, Jr.". findagrave.com. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
3. "Doris Helms Blair". findagrave.com. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
4. "Louise Phyllis Hunnicutt Helms". findagrave.com. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
5. "GREENVILLE, South Carolina (SC) Political Contributions by Individuals". city-data.com. Retrieved May 18, 2014.