Thomas A. Helms, Undertaker in Blacksburg, Virginia

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Tending to the Dead in Central Appalachia

Over time, the responsibility for caring for the deceased shifted from families to professional funeral directors. Initially, communities came together to ensure prompt burials, with women preparing the body and men handling coffin construction and grave digging. 

Before refrigeration and embalming techniques, individuals were buried swiftly to prevent decomposition. By the 1840s in central Appalachia, families began hiring undertakers, often cabinetmakers, who transitioned into this role due to their expertise and resources.

Embalming practices gained acceptance by the 1870s, allowing for elaborate mourning customs. By 1890 in Blacksburg wealthy deceased were embalmed in their home; however, as embalming became affordable, undertakers established dedicated spaces in their shops for preparation, shifting away from home visits.

Virginia led the way in requiring embalmer certification in 1894, following the establishment of the National Funeral Directors Association. By the 1930s, undertakers adopted the title of Funeral Home Directors, expanding their roles to provide community services like ambulance transport.

During the 1930s, funeral home vehicles served as both ambulances and hearses, highlighting the importance of trained personnel during transport. In 1949, the Lion’s Club, Jillian Wise, and a funeral director in Christiansburg collaborated to establish the first aid and life-saving crew, laying the foundation for the local Rescue Squad.

Reference: Death and Dying in Central Appalachia: Changing Attitudes and Practices by James K. Crissman, 1994

Thomas A. Helms – Blacksburg Undertaker between 1887-1928

Thomas “Tom” A. Helms hails from a family with a rich tradition in woodworking. His grandfather, Andrew “Andy” Helms of Mt. Crawford, Virginia, was a carpenter. Andy’s four sons followed in his footsteps: Joseph and Jacob became wagon makers, while Robert and Samuel McCune Helms (Tom’s father) pursued careers as cabinet makers.

Samuel McCune Helms was a cabinet maker living in the small town of Middlebrook, 14 miles from Steeles Tavern, at the time of the birth of his and Martha E. Stoffer Helms’ first child, Cora Virginia Helms (1853-1921). Tom was their fifth child, born (1 May 1860) just before Samuel enlisted in the Confederate Army on April 17, 1861, joining the 5th Virginia Infantry, Stonewall Brigade. Samuel was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was captured at Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864, and imprisoned in Delaware from May 16, 1864, to March 13, 1865. When he returned to MIddlebrook he and Martha added three more children, including Minnie N (1872) and Alonzo S Helms (1874).

Samuel M. was well respected according to his obituary. He died 28 February 1911 and is buried near Steeles Tavern.

Samuel’s two sons, Tom and Alonzo Samuel Helms, continued the family tradition as cabinet makers and undertakers. Alonzo established his business near Steeles Tavern (formerly known as Midway), while Tom set up his practice in Blacksburg around 1886, as noted in his obituary.

Tom married Kitty Lee Puckett of Pearisburg in 1887 and they built a house on the SW corner of Main and Turner prior to 1915. Their first child arrived in 1889 and the last in 1904: Alonzo W. Helms (Lonnie, 1889-1960), Verner Louis Helms (1891-1917, lost at sea), Lillian Helms (1892-1957), Sally V Helms Timberlake (1894-1969), Samuel T. (1896-1961), Mary Lee Helms Nottingham (1898-1981), Guy N. Helms (1900-1973), John C. Helms (1902-1944), Minerva Helms (1904-1987).

This is a view of Turner Street, looking east towards Main Street. The Helm’s Undertaker Shop can be seen just past the James Hardwick home. The Lutheran Church, with the steeple, was located across the street from the Hardwick house and now in the same location of the McDonalds restaurant. The map is a portion of the 1921 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
The map is a portion of the 1915 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
The map is a portion of the 1921 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map.
Samuel M. Helm’s two sons, Thomas A. Helms (.1866) and Alonzo S. Helms (b. 1874) were listed as undertakers in the 1909 Virginia Funeral Directors yearly directory. Alonzo S was located in Steeles Tavern and Tom in Blacksburg.
Photograph of the funeral of Major James Patton Harvey, a shoemaker in Blacksburg who died in 1915. This hearse was most likely Thomas A. Helms, the undertaker in Blacksburg from 1887 until he died in 1928 (Courtesy of Virginia Tech Special Collections & University Archives)

The undertaker building, which faced Turner Street (see photos and maps above), was a two-story structure with a coffin display room and office on the first floor. Most bodies were embalmed either at home or in a building like this, but were then returned home for the wake or viewing. The deceased would be transported by a horse-drawn hearse to the gravesite. Modern funeral homes did not become popular in this region until the 1930s.

After reviewing hundreds of death certificates from 1912 to the early 1930s, it is evident that many Montgomery County residents on the Blacksburg side were buried by Tom Helms or his son, Lonnie. However, the Helms were not the only company offering burial services. Tipton Byrd Evans (1847-1927), Samuel O. Barton (1832-1902), and Tom S. Milton (1892-1937) of Wake Forest, VA, also provided these services.

Thomas Helms served the residents of Blacksburg as Justice of the Peace, Town Council member, and Mayor in 1904. As Tom aged, his son Lonnie took over the family business. After Tom’s death in 1928, Lonnie continued to serve the community as an undertaker and embalmer.

Example of a death certificate for Mary H. Whitaker Price. Lonnie Helms, Tom’s son, continued his father’s business under the name: T.A. Helms Undertaker, Co. after his father died in 1928. (Mrs. Price was born on 6 April 1844, Montgomery Co and died on 2 Dec 1929 of diabetes at age 85. Her father was John Whitaker, a farmer near the Ribble’s home on Toms Creek and Glade Roads, and her mother was Louise Snyder of Virginia. She married NE Price, who predeceased her. M. N.E. Price, widowed when she died of diabetes. TA Helms Undertaker, Co. was the undertaker and P.P. Price informant, Blacksburg.)

3 thoughts on “Thomas A. Helms, Undertaker in Blacksburg, Virginia”

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