Jennifer Vaughn Helms

On Monday, April 12, 2021, Mrs. Jennifer Vaughn Helms, 46, beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend went to be with her Heavenly Father after a long, brave battle with COVID. Jennifer was born May 27, 1974 in Albemarle, NC and was the youngest daughter of Don and Linda Garris Vaughn. She was a graduate of Anson High School and grew up attending Mt. Beulah Baptist Church in Wadesboro. Jennifer received her BS at Appalachian State University. Thirteen years later, she went back to school to obtain her BS in Nursing at Queens University and graduated top of her class. Her 24-year medical career spanned from Clinical Research to Surgical Trauma ICU, PACU, and to her final career family as a Clinical and Quality Improvement RN for Providence Anesthesiology. Being a nurse was her true passion. Jennifer would not like us to make over her now, nor would she want us to grieve. What she would want, is for us to never lose sight on what is important in this life. Family, friends, and most of all our Heavenly Father. Jennifer lived a life full of fun, laughter, respect, compassion, and hard work. She believed what you put into something was truly what you would get out of it. She believed in legacy - the kind that lives on far beyond the steps you take now…..the footprints you leave behind….the impression you leave…..you know, like the very ones she now leaves for all of us – her family and friends, and even strangers alike. She believed in helping others - leaving them better than she found them. A true nurse’s mentality. This is not her journey’s end, but yet, the beginning of her new journey, the one she has prepared for her whole life. The one God has been molding her for since the day he brought her into this world on Monday, May 27, 1974. Someone recently told me that they learned how to pray again because of Jennifer. Another told me they would give all their blessings away in exchange for Jennifer’s healing. And yet another, questioned whether God was real and through Jenn's journey prayed and believed in Him again. The power of God’s purpose will live on long after we say goodbye to Jennifer…it is already evidenced in her impact on people’s lives. In 46 years, 10 months, 2 weeks, and 2 days, Jennifer was able to complete her work here on earth in order to gain her perfect place in heaven. She worked hard, she gave tirelessly and loved without apology. If you knew her, you were blessed. If you didn’t, you missed a one-of-a-kind friend. She will be remembered as the fighter and warrior that she was until her final breath. The example of a true champion. A giraffe now adorns our family’s social media pictures as we pay tribute to Jennifer’s lifelong love of these majestic creatures. This love started from watching Captain Kangaroo at an early age. From then on, every giraffe was known in our household as a “Jennifer giraffe.” It wasn’t until this recent battle that we realized just why the giraffe was the perfect symbol for Jennifer’s heart and character. When you look up the description of a giraffe, you’ll read they are tall enough to span the distance between heaven and earth – our guardian angel. They can see long distances, far and wide, to protect those they love – our guardian angel. They stay with their family because it is the most important treasure to them – her legacy, her heart. We ask you to look for the giraffes in your life and when you find her, always know you have a “Jennifer” watching faithfully from the heavens above. Those left to cherish Jennifer’s memory are her husband, Mark and their sons, Ethan and Aiden; her parents, Don and Linda Vaughn of Wadesboro; her sisters, Michele (Dean) Almond of Asheboro and Tammie (Scott) Phillips of Indian Trail; her Nephews and Niece: Chuck Hinson, Logan {Keely} Phillips, Christian {Carly} Hinson, Lexie Phillips, and Owen Phillips; her beloved Fur-baby: Wriggley along with many uncles, aunts and cousins. Those who were awaiting her arrival in heaven were, her grandparents, Evan and Joyce Vaughn and Charles and Polly Garris; her uncles, Ronnie Vaughn and Chuck Garris; her nephew, Cody Phillips and her beloved fur babies, Brutus and Haley. Funeral services will be 11:00am Friday, April 16, 2021 at Hopewell Baptist Church Legacy Campus, 420 Hopewell Church Road, Monroe, NC 28110 with Dr. Lee Pigg officiating. A private interment for the family only will be in Anson Memorial Park. Jennifer will lie in repose on Friday at the church from 10:00am until 11:00am and also on Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm at Leavitt Funeral Home in Wadesboro. The family will not be present at either time. Due to the continued risks of COVID, the family requests that those who are in attendance practice social distancing and wear a face covering. Memorials may be made to either the Arthritis Foundation (https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis) or The Humane Society of Union County. The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com