JoAnn "Giggy" Helms Phillips

  JoAnn Helms Phillips, affectionately known as “Giggy”, went to meet her Savior on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. She was 94 years old. JoAnn was born on September 1, 1931 to the late William Clyde Helms and Addie Rae “Pat” Robinson Helms at their home in Midland, NC.

  The family will be receiving friends at 12:00 on Saturday, June 6 , 2026 at United Love Baptist Church in Midland, with a Celebration of her Life to follow at 1:00. Reverend Marvin Tyson will officiate the service.

  In addition to her parents, JoAnn was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, James Wilson “Jimmy” Phillips Sr, her precious daughter-in-law Donna Bass Phillips, 3 much loved sisters and 2 dear brothers-in-law, Judy Helms Allen, Jane Helms Orr and her husband Lee Orr, Linda Helms McManus and her husband Sam McManus; and also her niece, Tracee Orr Jones.

  JoAnn was blessed to grow up in a home filled to the brim with love! She lived with her parents, her 5 siblings, her Aunt “Fodie” and her grandmother “Mimmy” . When questioned about where in the world did everybody sleep, she would simply say “we didn’t think about it being crowded, it’s just the way it was!” She was blessed to live near her cousins as well and they spent many joyful hours together as often as their Mothers would allow.

  It was a well known fact that JoAnn had a passion for reading. Her Bible was her favorite book, and well worn. She also enjoyed biographies about the Royal Family, the Kennedys, and her favorite movie stars. JoAnn was greatly moved by poetry, and often would share a random passage with her family, who admittedly did not have the same appreciation and would mostly react with groans and eye rolls. However…her family and friends did greatly appreciate her famous Blonde Brownies, and her Red Chicken is so revered that the recipe is preserved on cutting boards in all our family kitchens!

  JoAnn served the Lord by serving others. One way she showed her love was by sending greeting cards in the mail. It’s no exaggeration to say she sent thousands of cards to people over her lifetime. She absolutely loved poring over the card section at Dollar Tree, and she could happily spend an hour or more trying to find just the right card for whatever occasion was coming up!

  She found great joy in planting flowers and kept several pots of beautiful blooms in every color on her deck. Time didn’t exist for her as she tended her flowers, and she was known to occasionally even forget mealtime until Jimmy stuck his head out and politely inquired “Where’s my supper?!?!”

Church attendance was a very important part of her upbringing and she was instrumental in leading her children to know and love the Lord. She also sowed the seeds of faith in many other children by teaching Sunday School and working in Vacation Bible School. She was a member of Clear Creek Baptist Church for many years, then later joined United Love Baptist Church and faithfully attended as long as her health allowed. She cherished her church family and dearly loved and appreciated Pastor Marvin, his wife Jan and their daughter Jennifer.

  Surviving JoAnn are her 2 children, daughter Lydia Phillips Buck (David); and son James Wilson “Jamey” Phillips Jr ; her brothers, Lewis Helms (Avie) and Gary Helms (Fran), her brother-in-law Jimmie Allen; 5 grandchildren, Jeremiah Buck (Jill), Isaac Buck (Gretchen), Rebekah Buck, Jake Phillips ( Rikki) and Hunter Phillips; 5 great-grandchildren Wyatt, Lylah, Lily, Ellis and Tate; along with several nieces and nephews, Reggie,Leanne, Jeff, Russell, Jan, Becky, Wendy, Mitch, Margaret, Mike, Jerrod and Josh.

  JoAnn was a shining example of a good and faithful servant. She lived her life according to her favorite scripture, Micah 6:8b …act justly, love  mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to

United Love Baptist Church, PO Box 124, Midland NC 28107

or to Samaritan’s Purse