Joyce Helms Turk

Joyce Helms Turk, 91, of Cullowhee, North Carolina, fell asleep and woke up looking at Jesus face to face on June 27, 2025.

With hearts full of love, sadness, and peace, Joyce’s family will remember and celebrate her life at Cullowhee United Methodist Church on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 5p.m.

Joyce was born in Barbour County, Alabama on October 25, 1933, to John and Eva Helms. She would say that early in life she met and married the love of her life, Lindsey R. Turk. She would also say that together they built a life, family, and legacy that would surpass their wildest dreams. This self-proclaimed “horse and buggy girl” had the opportunity to live with Lindsey in New York City, Puerto Rico, and cities across Florida.

To know Joyce was to know how much she loved Lindsey and how proud she was to be his wife. Though he passed away 29 years prior to her, the love that they had transcended that time by the way she carried their love with her until the day she died.

As proud as Joyce was to be wife to Lindsey, there was nothing she was prouder of then her three boys. Any conversation with Joyce was an opportunity for her to brag about Roger, Tommy, Steven and their families. Just as important as family was to Joyce were the local church and children. Joyce grew up in, raised her sons in, and dedicated her life to love and serve the church. As a retiree living in Cullowhee, North Carolina she was actively involved at Cullowhee United Methodist Church. Passionate about loving others the way that Jesus loved her.  Joyce’s dinner table always had room for one more and there was always sweet treats and sweet tea on hand for visitors. She was excited to serve those in need by delivering Meals on Wheels and taking meals, flowers, and cookies to friends in need. Joyce was a retired kindergarten teacher with a huge heart for education. There was never a child she met that she would not have called “precious.” Believing that every child was precious in the eyes of God, Joyce also served as a Guardian ad Litem for many years to ensure that children in the hardest life situations were seen, loved and cared for.

Joyce was proceeded in death by her brother, Billy Helms; parents, John and Eva Helms; granddaughter, Faith Ann Turk and her beloved husband Lindsey R. Turk.

Joyce is survived by her sons Roger (Sheri) Turk, Tommy (Micki) Turk, and Steven (Sheri) Turk; brother, Johnny (Lenora) Helms; 4 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and honorary family, Jim and Rena Rowell.

In lieu of flowers the family would invite donations to be made in Joyce’s honor to:

 The Wesley Foundation of WCU – PO Box 103 Cullowhee, NC 28723

 Cullowhee Kids Preschool – PO Box 1267 Cullowhee, NC 28723

 Western Carolina University Facilities Management Employee Scholarship –

WCU Advancement Department, One Central Drive Cullowhee, NC 28723

Appalachian Funeral Services of Sylva is in charge of the arrangements.