Helen Edwards Bryant Carpenter was born in Gastonia, NC, on December 20, 1924, to Thelma Franklin Edwards and John Wesley Edwards. She passed from this life on April 5, 2025, after living a little more than a century. During those 100 years she lived a full and interesting life.

Helen and her family moved from Gastonia back to Franklin, NC, and she attended school at Franklin Elementary and Franklin High School where she was Senior Class President. The summer before her senior year, she attended a cosmetology course in Asheville, so when she graduated she already had her cosmetology license.

Her first job in a beauty shop was in Canton, NC, and later she found a job in Southern Pines and worked there. One day some soldiers from Fort Bragg stopped by to visit the shop owner while on their way to Raleigh. When one of the soldiers, who had a loose button, declined Helen's offer to repair it, another soldier, Clyde Bryant, said he also had a loose button and he would love for her to sew it back on for him. And, as they say, "The rest is history."

Helen and Clyde dated for three months and were married in Clyde's hometown in Indiana. Shortly after they were married, Clyde, who was a paratrooper, was sent overseas for two years, and Helen returned to Franklin where she worked in Pearl Mashburn's beauty shop. She absolutely loved that job and told many entertaining stories about her clients.

When Clyde was discharged, he and Helen moved to East Lansing, MI, where both attended Michigan State University. Four children and many years later, Clyde was given the opportunity by his employer, Dow Chemical Company, to go to Hong Kong to work, so Clyde, Helen, and their two youngest children moved to Hong Kong.

While there, Helen enjoyed her role with other American ladies as a hostess to American servicemen. A sign advertising their hospitality said, "If you want to eat in an American home, call Mrs. Helen Bryant." From their home in Hong Kong the family was able to visit the USA, India, Italy, England, Japan, Thailand, Spain, and the Philippines.

From Hong Kong, the family moved to Salisbury, MD, where Helen became a successful real estate broker. Following several years of retirement, Clyde died unexpectedly in 1983, due to a heart attack. He and Helen had been married for 40 years. Three years after Clyde's death, Helen heard of the death of an old high school classmate's wife and sent him a sympathy card. That's how she and Bob Carpenter became reacquainted. They married in 1986.

When Helen married Bob she became part of a huge family of Carpenters since Bob and his first wife had eight children—four boys and four girls. As a stepparent, she had children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

After Bob and Helen married, he was elected to the NC State Senate where he served 16 years. Helen ran Bob's office while he was a senator and worked very closely with the Chapel. Helen and Bob enjoyed their time in Raleigh and made many friends. Bob died in his sleep in 2011. He and Helen had been married 25 years.

Helen was predeceased by her husbands, Clyde Bryant and Bob Carpenter; her son, Al Bryant; her grandson, Derek Guster; her parents, Thelma and John Edwards, Sr.; and her siblings, John Edwards, Jr., Ruth Bateman, and Barbara Tallent. She is survived by her children, Debbie Bryant, Susan Datko (Mike), and Becky Prince (Danny); her grandchildren, Heather Mattson, Kelli Schumaker, Gretchen Guster, John Strouss, III, Ian Strouss, Tania Martell, and Jeremiah Prince; 13 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Helen's family will receive friends on Saturday, April 12, from 10-11 am and a service will follow at 11 at Macon Funeral Home in Franklin, NC. Luke Bateman, Philip Cochran, and Larry Pons will preside. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeremiah Prince, Jeff Mattson, Matt Bateman, Robbie Holland, Jon Hunter, Tommy Carpenter, Walter Hunter, and Mike Datko.

Online Condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com

Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.