Helen Presson's Obituary
Helen James Presson, affectionately known as “Nana P,” went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 17, 2022 after a courageous battle with dementia. Helen was the third of four children born to Cecil Myers James and Ida Mae Tarlton James. She loved growing up on their farm in Marshville, NC and playing with her siblings and cousins who came to visit. She was often known as the one who returned to the kitchen to prepare the meal since she tended to be the slowest in the fields.
She loved school, especially the social aspect, and graduated from Marshville High School. She then went on to Wingate Junior College and Appalachian State University where she earned a degree in elementary education. On August 23, 1959, she married Billy J. Presson, and they served as life-long educators together in public schools in the area.
Helen and Bill moved from Union County to Charlotte and eventually to the Long Creek and Huntersville communities. Helen taught in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for 28 years and spent most of her teaching career at Huntersville Elementary and Derita Elementary.
Helen loved children. Period. She loved her own children, Suzy and Jerri; your children, the children at church, and any baby she saw along the way. But what brought the brightest sparkle to her eye was her three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She spent much of her retired years loving, teaching and nurturing her three grandchildren.
Helen also loved Jesus. She made her profession of faith at Austin Grove Baptist Church in Marshville. And she was a member of First Baptist Church-Huntersville for more than 55 years. She served as the preschool Sunday School director, nursery worker, member of the count committee, women’s mission group member, and she loved the activities and trips with the senior adult ministry.
And she loved chocolate chip cookies. In fact, she loved any kind of chocolate.
Helen was known for her chocolate covered peanut butter crackers and her orange congealed salad, which she made often to take to church events and share with others. She loved Christmas and went to great efforts to make sure her house was decorated “just so,” and that everyone had an extra special gift wrapped just perfectly.
She had a great sense of humor, if you knew her well enough. She loved having fun with her church and school friends growing up, her life-long college friends and roommates, and her close church friends – many of whom joined in her antics.
Helen and Bill eventually retired to the Gardens of Taylor Glen in Concord, where she resided for twenty years.
In addition to her parents, Helen was preceeded in death by her husband, Billy J. Presson; brothers, Earl James and Harold James; sister, Gladys James Taylor; and son-in-law Billy Crawford.
Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are her daughters Suzy Crawford (Matthew Luxford), Jerri Haigler (Eddie); grandchildren William Haigler (fiancé Taylor Haines), Ryn Crawford Messenger (Brent), and Neely Crawford (AJ Alldredge), and great grandsons Bryce Messenger and William James Alldredge, as well as a host of brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.
A service to give thanks to God for the life of Helen Presson will be held Wednesday, December 21 at 2 p.m. at James Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service with the burial to follow at First Baptist Church-Huntersville.
Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church-Huntersville (scholarship fund) at 14813 N Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 – www.fbc-h.org or her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 - www.stjude.org
The family would like to thank the staff at The Gardens of Taylor Glen who provided care, support, and friendship to her during her time there. They also would like to thank her many family members and friends who supported and prayed for her during her struggle with dementia.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12
No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him. – 1 Corinthians 2:9
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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