Brunice Rice Helms

Brunice Rice Helms, 91, of Homeland, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away Thursday, October 21, 2010 at Bartow Regional Medical Center from respiratory failure, surrounded by her family who loved her so much. Mrs. Helms was born in Glendale, Florida on March 12, 1919 to James Lee and Rubirda Rice. She moved to Homeland at the age of 5 where she remained until her passing. She earned an elementary teaching degree from Florida State College for Women. She taught at the Old Homeland School and at Eagle Lake Elementary in the late 1940's and retired from her teaching career at the Oaks School in Bartow. She was a former member of Homeland Methodist Church and Asbury United Methodist Church where she taught children's Sunday School and vacation Bible School most of her life. She was a current member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bartow. "Miss Brunice" or "Gram" as most called her, enjoyed an active life loving and taking care of her family until a stroke slowed her down 17 years ago. Mrs. Helms was preceded in death by her husband, Bert Helms & infant son, Darrell Helms. She is survived by a loving family that includes her daughter, Anita Lyle & son-in-law, Walker C. Lyle, Jr. of Homeland. Her two grandchildren: Jason Lyle (Kelly) of Lakeland; Krista Greene (Gordon) of Homeland, and three great grandchildren: Anna Lynn, Clay Greene and Ansleigh Lyle. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 East Main Street in Bartow. Funeral services will be held on Saturday October 23rd at 2 p.m. at the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, 205 East Stanford, Bartow. Interment to follow at Homeland Cemetery.