Janice Ellis Helton, age 97, of Asheville, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2020 at Laurels of Summit Ridge in Asheville. Mrs. Helton was born on May 21, 1923, in Cherokee County, NC to the late John A. Ellis and Flora Ammons Ellis. She was a loving, caring and giving lady who loved her family and friends. Janice was a longtime member of Calvary Free Will Baptist Church of Swannanoa and was a hard worker. She raised three children as a single mother and was known to sometimes hold two jobs to make ends meet. She was a great mother and provider for her family. Her favorite hobby was shopping. She would often buy something to give to someone else. She had such a loving heart.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by husband, Kenneth Helton; and her four brothers, Malcolm, Maurice, E. J. and Jack Ellis. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Anne Gudger and her husband, Harrison, of Asheville; sons, Phillip Landers and his wife Linda, of Winchester, TN, Michael Landers of Gastonia and Gary Mitchell and his wife Carol of Waynesville, Missouri; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Helton’s family would like to say a special “thank you” to all of the staff at Laurels of Summit Ridge for the love and care that was shown to her during her time there. It meant the world to the family to know she was well loved and cared for there.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at 1pm at Woodlawn Cemetery in Asheville with Pastor Frank Cantrell conducting the service.
A celebration of life service will be announced by the family at a later date.
Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Helton Family and assisting them with arrangements.
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