Mrs. Connie Helms

Mrs. Connie Lynn Helms, 61 of Abingdon, passed away at 5:25 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

She was born April 10, 1959 in Galesburg, the daughter of L. A. “Don” and Caroline (Vance) Myrick.  Connie and her sister, Cynthia were adopted and raised by Gary and Anita Burnett.  She married Michael E. Duerre and they later divorced.  She then married Roger L. Helms, Jr. on August 12, 1989.  He preceded her in death on January 10, 1999.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Cynthia Burnett.

Connie is survived by her children, Shawn M. (fiancé, Christal Lape) Duerre of Abingdon and Jennifer M. (and fiancé, Jason Fowler) Duerre of Galesburg; her grandchildren, Cameron M. Duerre, Kameron Fowler and Maddie Fowler; her companion of 21 years, John Cunningham of Abingdon; her adopted parents, Gary and Anita Burnett of Riverside, Iowa; her siblings, James Pennington and Mary Burnett, both of Columbia, South Carolina; and a nephew, Gage Radcliffe of Columbia, South Carolina.

Connie attended Galesburg schools and later earned her GED.  She last worked at the JC Penney Department Store in Galesburg.  She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.  Her hobbies included watching TV, cooking, decorating her Barbie House and loving animals.  She loved her family.

Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2021 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel.  After the visitation, the family will continue to celebrate her life at the Abingdon American Legion until 5 p.m.  Due to guidelines associated with the Covid-19 Pandemic, social distancing and face masks will be required.  Cremation will be accorded following the visitation.

Memorials may be made to the family.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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