Norma Jean (Payne) Helm, 82 of Lexington, Missouri passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, MO. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 22, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 525 S. Bus. 13, Lexington, MO, 64067. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11:00 a.m., at the church. Inurnment will be in Lexington Memory Gardens. Memories of Norma and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Walker-Nadler-Fuller Funeral Home, 1720 South St., Lexington, MO, 64067, 660-259-2245.
Norma was born on April 23, 1943, in Mayview, MO to Francis Wood and Dorothy Wanita (Conrad) Payne. She graduated from Lexington High School, class of 1960. On January 18, 1961, Norma was united in marriage to John Edward Helm. Norma retired from MFA in Lexington after 22 years of service as a bookkeeper. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lexington. Norma volunteered many hours helping as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Cub Scout Den Leader, and Softball Coach. In addition to spending time with her family and friends, Norma enjoyed traveling, hunting in the
mountains of Wyoming and other places, crocheting, oil painting, and bowling on her Higginsville Bowling League.
Norma is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, John Helm of Lexington, MO; three children, Ginger (Roger) Elsea of Kearney, MO, Jeff (Misty) Helm of Lexington, MO, and Pamela Denise Helm of Higginsville, MO; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, William “Bill” Frank Payne; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Norma was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Payne; a daughter-in-law, Christy Ann Helm and a grandson, Marcus Alan Helm
Source: KMZU, The Farm
