Helen P. Ormond

Helen Peck Ormond, age 99, went home to her Lord peacefully in the late afternoon of Friday, October 14, 2016. She was born August 23, 1917 to Jesse Calvin Peck and Abigail Parmelia Pickard. After high school in Decatur, GA, she attended Florida State College for Women (now FSU), then returned to the Atlanta area where she worked for several years as a secretary. In 1938, she married John Kern Ormond of Durham, NC. He was ordained as a Methodist minister (4th generation) and together they served churches in North Carolina and Texas, including Carrboro, Princeton, Oriental, Benson, Ahoskie, Raleigh, Bailey, Farmville, Garner, Hamlet and finally Elizabeth City, plus El Paso, TX between Garner and Hamlet. During WWII, Kern and Helen also served their country together faithfully as he became a chaplain in the US Army and then Army Reserve until his retirement. Helen’s primary callings included life partner, mother, homemaker, faithful daughter and daughter-in-law, active clergy spouse, and friend. She was known as a joyous, caring presence in all those roles, including during the family’s summers and fall visits to Lake Junaluska, NC, where they had a part-time residence and place of retreat. In addition to her parents, Helen was predeceased by her husband, John Kern Ormond; her step-mother, Janie Peck; her brother, Joe Moody Peck; and her daughter, Abbie Ann Ormond Holtz. She is survived by her son John Kern Ormond, Jr. and his wife Evelyn, and son Marvin Peck Ormond, both of Wilmington; grandson Grady Ormond and wife Robyn of Cary; grandson Kern Ormond of Somerville, MA; grandson David Holtz and wife Chris of McCleansville, NC; grandson Jeffrey Holtz and wife Robin of Wake Forest, NC; grandson John-James Ormond of Wilmington; and granddaughter Madeleine Ormond of New York City. She is also survived by three great-granddaughters, Abigail, Ia and Tabitha Ormond of Cary and two great-grandsons, Harrison and Aiden Holtz of Wake Forest. In addition, there are numerous special friends and caregivers who have ministered to Helen in recent years. She would especially want to thank Shirley Freshwater of Elizabeth City and Aquanna Ellerby of Wilmington, who are more like family. Special thanks also to the staff at Plantation Village and to the wonderful caregivers of Lower Cape Fear Hospice. On Wednesday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m., there will be a memorial service in Wilmington at Wesleyan Chapel United Methodist Church, the Reverends Jeff Roberts and John Ormond presiding. There will also be a memorial celebration and commitment for family at Lake Junaluska, date to be arranged. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Wilmington’s Wesleyan Chapel UMC, or First United Methodist Church of Elizabeth City. For 99 years, Helen Peck Ormond blessed us more than we will ever be able to acknowledge. We love you, Mama.

Helen P. Ormond

August 23, 1917 - October 7, 2016