Debra Helms Hyatt

Debra Hyatt

ROCK HILL - Debra Helms Hyatt, 59, of 824 Patriot Parkway, died Thursday, December 6, 2012, at her home.

Born in Fort Mill S.C., Debra is the daughter of the late Claude F. Helms and the late Helen Collins Helms.

Ms. Hyatt was a kind and caring soul who often did without things for herself in favor of doing things for others. She wore a smile and a positive attitude through the good times and the bad. She loved and collected owls of all types. She was a Fly-Lady and loved plants and gardening and was blessed with a "green thumb". She cherished the company of her dogs, Jay, Sophie and Max, who were by her side when she died.

Debbi graduated from Fort Mill High School in 1970 and attended Winthrop College and York Technical College and earned a degree in Accounting. Over the years she worked at Carolina Community Actions, Piedmont Distribution, John Deere, Sound Choice, New Concepts in Marketing and Crossmark. She was a "people person" who enjoyed talking to and dealing with others. Her smile and positive attitude were apparent even over the phone to those that she spoke with. She was always ready to jump in and help whenever and wherever she was needed.

She was the rock of her family's lives. The person everyone depended on and came back to when they found themselves in a jam, needing advice, or just a hug of support. To say that she will be missed by both family and friends is a vast understatement.

Memorials can be made in Debbi's name to Boy Scout Troop 108, 303 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715 and or the St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN. 38105-1942.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, at Whitesell Funeral Home, with Jeff McWatters officiating. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Park, Cherry Road.

She is survived by one son, Alexander Hyatt; two daughters, Jaime Thompson and Shannon Hyatt; one brother, Britt C. Helms Sr.; and twelve grandchildren. She is preceded in death by a grandchild, Angel Faith McCarter.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, from 6-8 PM at Whitesell Funeral Home, and other times at the home of Britt and Gina Helms, 2097 Briarwood Cir., Fort Mill, S.C..