Mary Cathern "Dink" Helton

Born on September 22nd, 1931, the daughter of the late Joe and Effie Napier, Mary Cathern “Dink” Helton lived a long, full, and beautiful life shaped by family, faith, service, and the places she loved most. She passed peacefully on November 25, 2025, in Pineville, Kentucky, surrounded by those who cherished her.

Raised in Pineville, Kentucky, as a young woman, she moved to Georgetown, South Carolina, where she finished high school—an experience that introduced her to the coast and sparked a lifelong love of the beach.

After graduation, she attended nursing school in South Carolina, answering a calling to care for others. She later moved to Pineville, Kentucky, to work as a nurse at Pineville Hospital. It was there that she met the love of her life, JC, with whom she shared a devoted marriage for over 67 years.

Together, they built a family rooted in love, faith, and tradition. They were blessed with two sons, and she embraced the role of homemaker—something she poured her heart into with dedication and purpose.

She was a woman with high expectations, both for herself and those around her. Her standards were firm, shaped by the hard-working world she grew up in, and they became a quiet way of encouraging the people she loved to become their best. Though she could be straightforward and sometimes candid in her opinions, her intentions were steady and rooted in care. Those close to her knew that beneath her seriousness was a deep loyalty, a protective spirit, and an unwavering desire to see her family thrive.

She was active in her church and became a familiar and respected presence in her community—dependable, involved, and always willing to lend her time or her voice when needed.

For more than 50 summers, she brought her family to Pawleys Island, the beach she adored since her youth. Those annual trips became a treasured family tradition: long walks on the sand, salty breezes, and memories that will live on for generations.

She will be remembered for her resilience, her devotion, her honesty, and the steady guidance she offered throughout her life. Her legacy is one of strength, tradition, and a love that shaped the family she leaves behind.

In addition to her parents, she was preceding in death by her loving husband, James Carter (JC) Helton, sister Norma and special Aunt Mary.

She is survived by the following members of her family: sons, James Helton, Jr. and Jeffery (Kim) Helton; grandchildren, Lindsey (Jason) Evans, Jessica Helton, Colby Bennett, Dalton Bennett, Jenah Helton (Tanner) Hoskins, Caeley Helton and Carter Helton; great-grandchildren, Luke, Noah, Ruby, Logan, Leo, Malaya, Jaycee, Laylen, Soarin, and Eleanor; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family of Mary Cathern “Dink” Helton will receive friends on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, Pineville, KY. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Ron Howard presiding.

Graveside services will be private.

Pallbearers will be Jason Evans, Carter Helton, Sean Phipps, Tanner Hoskins, Boone Logan, Luke Evans and Laylan Bennett.

Online register book and condolences are available at www.cawoodfh.com.

All arrangements for Mary Cathern “Dink” Helton are under the care of Cawood Funeral Home, Middlesboro, KY.