Mrs. Shirley Maxine Tootle Helms, age 81, of the South Thompson Community, died Saturday, April 6, 2024, at The Oaks Bethany in Vidalia, following an extended illness.  She was a lifelong resident of Toombs County and retired after forty years from Oxford Industries Vidalia.  She was a member of Edmond Chapel Church of God where she taught Sunday school.  She enjoyed sewing, flowers, and talking on the phone.  She is preceded in death by her husband, A.J. Helms, parents, “Buster” Tootle and Alpha Denton Tootle; great-grandson, Alston Page; two brothers, William Donnell Tootle and Gerald Monroe Tootle; and a son-in-law, Ron Cannady.

Her family includes one daughter, Angie Kay Helms Cannady of South Thompson; two granddaughters, Nicole Cannady Page and husband Alex of the Five Points Community, and Danielle Megan Cannady of Vidalia; four great-grandchildren, Tristin, Annalise, Weston, and Kaylee; three sisters, Shelby Tootle Williamson of Vidalia, Jean Tootle Bryant and husband “Buck” of Lyons, and Louise Tootle Hadden of Swainsboro; two brothers, Edward Tootle of Clinton, South Carolina, and Darrell Tootle of Vidalia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday evening from 6:00 until 8:00, and will assemble at the residence of a granddaughter, Nicole, 1419 Griffin Ferry Road, Lyons, GA.

Pallbearers are Shannon Bryant, Shane Bowen, Junior Williamson, Brad Tootle, Dustin Joiner, and Dylan Joiner.

The funeral service will be Tuesday afternoon, April 9th, at 3:00 in the chapel of Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Nathan Pittman officiating.  Burial will follow at South Thompson Baptist Church Cemetery.

Ronald V. Hall Funeral Home of Vidalia is in charge of arrangements.