New Iberia"Graveside funeral services for Mrs. James Lemuel Helm, the former Sarah Land Jastremski will be conducted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. in Rosehill Cemetery. The Reverend Mark McDonald will officiate. Interment will follow in Rosehill Cemetery. A native of Baton Rouge and longtime resident of New Iberia, Mrs. Helm passed away on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 7:25 P.M. in a Baton Rouge assisted living facility. Mrs. Helm was a granddaughter of the late General Leon Jastremski, statesman and Confederate hero. She received a degree from All Saints Episcopal Junior College in Vicksburg, MS, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University. Mrs. Helm organized the first engineering branch of the library at LSU, and she later retired as a teacher at Catholic High School of New Iberia. A longtime member of Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in New Iberia, Mrs. Helms life was exemplified by her strong faith, love of family, personal courage, and perseverance. Always active in the community, Mrs. Helm was a charter member of the Junior Fortnightly Club of New Iberia. She also enjoyed memberships in the St. Marthas Guild, Shadows-on-the-Teche Service League, Cultural Resources Association, and the Iberia Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Survivors include a daughter, Sally Helm Evans of Baton Rouge; a son, James L. Helm, Jr. of Fayetteville, AR; grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Fernandez and husband, Randy, Robert L. Evans, Jr. and wife, Debbie, Thomas McClosky Helm and wife, Anna, Catherine Berenson and husband, Michael, and Timothy John Helm; and great-grandchildren, Jessica Evans, Jacqueline Anne Evans, Todd Philip Evans, Robert James Fernandez, and Sarah Ellen Fernandez. Preceding Mrs. Helm in death were her husband, James L. Helm, Sr.; son, John H. Helm; and her parents, John Henry and Frances Holloway Jastremski. Mrs. Helms family wishes to express their grateful appreciation to the staff and aides at Lakewood Quarters Assisted Living for their warm, loving, and professional care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Helms honor to the Iberia Humane Society, Shadows-on-the-Teche, or to a charity of your choice. David Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
