Pastor Clarence Helms, of Floral City, passed away on July 20, 2026, under HPH Hospice care. He was 89 years old. Clarence was born in Bristol, Virginia on March 2, 1937 to George F. and Novella (Witt) Helms.
Pastor Helms served his country proudly in the Air National Guard and with the Civil Air Patrol in Citrus County.
Pastor Helms earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Carson Newman College. He met Sarah Wells on a blind date in Jacksonville, FL, and they married on April 11, 1963.
Clarence and Sarah lived in many places throughout his 40 years in active ministry, making Florida their home beginning in Duval County. They moved to Floral City in 1988, making Citrus County their life-long home. Pastor Helms was pastor for New Testament Baptist Church from 1988 until his retirement in 2012.
In his free time, he enjoyed witnessing, holding Bible studies, spending time with his family, and woodworking (making things for his wife, she liked it; he made it).
Pastor Helms was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother George Helms. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 63 years, Sarah Helms of Floral City; his daughter, Tamara Lugeanbeal (George) of Jacksonville; his daughter, Kyra Miller (Richard) of Floral City; his son, Stephen Helms (Lisa) of Lake Wales; his daughter, Rebekah Downs (Jason) of Floral city; and his daughter, Laura Tyrrell (Jonathan) of Maryville, TN; 20 grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.
Services for Pastor Helms will be conducted on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 2:00PM, from New Testament Baptist Church in Floral City, with Rev. Ledford Hodges officiating. Private burial will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Floral City. Family and friends may view and fellowship beginning at 1:00PM until the hour of service. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to New Testament Baptist Church Missions’ Fund, and will be greatly appreciated. The Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, FL is assisting the family.
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