Helen Marie Panter

Helen Marie Panter passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lula; her sister, Ernestine; and her brothers, William and Bobby.

Helen married her husband, the late Roy Winston Panter, Sr., in 1949 and had two children. After settling in Blue Ridge, she was primarily a homemaker, where she excelled at caring for her loved ones.

She was a gifted cook whose meals brought comfort and a sense of home to anyone lucky enough to sit at her table. She was widely known for making the best coconut cake in Fannin County and often brought one to events at the First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge, where she was a longtime member.

She had a knack for fixing just about anything — from physical injuries to broken hearts — and an uncanny ability to find any missing item. Her unexpectedly wonderful sense of humor was often a bright spot in conversation, and she was always impeccably dressed. Whether she was sewing an outfit for her children or grandchildren, making something delicious in the kitchen or offering the perfect piece of advice, Helen did it all with warmth, wit and grace.

Her steady presence and loving spirit will be forever missed by all who knew her.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Angela (Eugene) Spiva; her son, Roy Winston Panter, Jr.; grandsons, Christopher (Ragen) and Jonathan Spiva; granddaughters, Lona (Nicholas Davis-Fields) Panter, Kristin (Cody) Morris, and Megan Panter; and six great-grandchildren: Noah Scheuer; Hudson, Grant, and Harper Spiva; Braxton Russell and Helen Mabry Morris.

The family is deeply grateful to the men and women of Appalachian Hospice, who provided Helen with care, compassion and kindness.

Friends will be received from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, at Cochran- McDaniel Funeral Home in Blue Ridge. Services will be held in the chapel at 3 p.m. with Rev. Harold Willis officiating. Interment will follow at JP Chastain Memorial Park.

Pallbearers include Christopher Spiva, Jonathan Spiva, Noah Scheuer, Hudson Spiva, Cody Morris, and Nicholas Davis-Fields.

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Helen Marie Panter; you may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranmcdaniel.com