Marion Mayor David P. Helms, 83, died Wednesday, March 20, following a brief illness.
His wife, Sue, was at his bedside.
Born in Glade Spring in 1941, Helms served as the 95th President of the Virginia Municipal League in 2014, a position he treasured almost as much as he loved being Marion’s mayor.
Helms’ graduated from Emory & Henry College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1963 and began teaching fifth grade in Washington County.
In 1970, he became a teacher at Marion Intermediate School, and soon after was also serving as assistant principal at Marion Primary School.
Helms was promoted to principal of Marion Primary School in 1973, where he served until his retirement from secondary education in 2000.
Always the public servant, Helms served as a member of the Glade Spring Volunteer Fire Department, and remained active in many organizations and events, including championing projects ranging from the local VFW and Memorial Day activities to bringing and expanding his college alma mater into Marion with the Emory & Henry College of Health Sciences.
Helms was first elected to Marion Town Council in 1990, and in the middle of his third term, ran for mayor and was elected to that post in 2000, a position he held until his passing.
He will be remembered for his unwaivering support of the hallmarks of his life – patriotism, public service and community. His absence from everyday life at Town Hall, at local festivals and events, at statewide gatherings, will be missed by many.
The Town of Marion extends our deepest sympathy to Sue Helms and to the Mayor’s extended family and friends. Services will be announced at a later date.
“I am saddened to learn of the death of Marion Mayor David Helms,” said U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith. “Working with him over the years, his great love of Marion and Smyth County was evident. As a public-school teacher, principal, and town council member, he exhibited some of the finest qualities of a public servant. His passing is a great loss to his community and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
