Bernard Lamar Helton Iii

Mr. Bernard Lamar Helton III, age 74, of Warthen, passed away peacefully, Sunday September 11, 2022 at his residence. A graveside funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, September 14 ^th at 3:00 p.m.  in Brownwood Cemetery in Sandersville. The family will receive friends following the service in the Cemetery. Steven Parsley will officiate.

Bernard was a lifelong resident of Washington County, the son of the late B.L. Helton and the late Carolyn Thomas Helton. He graduated from Washington County High School in 1966 and attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville.  Bernard obtained a machinist degree from South Georgia Technical College in Americus and began a 36-year career at Thiele Kaolin Company in 1970 starting as a machinist and retiring as a buyer.  In retirement, he worked in safety for CVB Industrial. Bernard was a member of the Legacy Church, Tennille. He enjoyed spending time with family and watching his grandchildren play sports. His hobbies included fishing, spending time in the garden and raising golden grubs to share with others. He loved his cat, Lucy.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Linda Brantley Helton; children, Lamar Helton and his wife Leah and Lacey H. Shepherd and her husband Jay; grandchildren, AJ, Hattie, Ben, Andrew, and Jacob; sister, Anne Harris; brothers and sisters-in-law, Angela Helton, Alfred Brantley and his wife Patsy, J.M. Brantley, Catherine Adams, Louise Hutcheson and her husband Frank, Les Brantley, Charlene Goss and Howard Brantley; special niece, Kat Neal; close family friend, Hugh English; and many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to Legacy Church, P.O. Box 123, Tennille, GA. 31089 or Freedom Fighters of Georgia, 2503 Breezy Hill Road, Davisboro, GA. 31018, or Mighty Man Ministries, 181 Old Fox Farm Road, Davisboro, GA. 31018.

May and Smith Funeral Directors is in charge of these arrangements. Leave an online condolence at www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com