Helen Aileen Jones Burch

With love and sadness, we announce the passing of Helen Aileen Jones Burch on September 23, 2026, at the age of 97. She was born in Haywood County on November 19, 1928, to the late John Paul Jones and the late Dorothy Whitmire Jones. Helen was truly blessed with a wonderful and full life, touching the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was a graduate of Canton High School and continued her education at Blanton's Business College in Asheville. She began her professional career with Clyde Savings Bank, where she spent years serving the community before her retirement. Helen was especially loved by the bank customers, who appreciated her kindness, warmth, and genuine concern for each person who walked through the doors.

Helen’s greatest joy was found in her home and family. She treasured being a homemaker and above all, cherished the times when her children and grandchildren gathered around her. Family was the center of Helen’s heart. Special family picnics and annual beach trips became treasured traditions, creating memories that her family will carry with them for generations.

Helen’s faith was an important and enduring part of her life. She was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Clyde for 71 years. Throughout those many years, she faithfully served her church by formally teaching the four- and five-year-old Sunday School Class and Vacation Bible School, as well as serving on the Church Offering Committee. She was also a member of the Bertha Fitzgerald Sunday School Class. Her love for children, her church, and her Lord was evident in the way Helen lived her life each day.

Helen shared 65 years wonderful years of marriage with her beloved husband, Bill until his passing in 2018. Their life together was a testament to love, devotion, and family.

To know Helen was to know kindness. She had a gentle way about her that touched many people. Helen’s family was her greatest treasure, and she was theirs. Her memory will be with us forever.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Carroll “Bill” Burch, Sr.; a sister, Ruby J. Knight; and her brothers, Locke M. Jones and Curtis P. Jones.

Surviving are her daughters, Lynne B. Kirby and Randy of Simpsonville, SC, and Gail B. Harrington and Greg of Rock Hill, SC; a son, Carroll Burch Jr. and Debra of Greenwood, SC; a sister, Coleen Howery of Newton, NC; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Clyde First Baptist Church. Reverend Dr. Byron Burnette and Reverend Mark McMinn will be officiating. The family will be receiving friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Crawford / Ray Memorial Gardens in Clyde.

The Burch family wishes to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff of Smoky Mountain Health and Rehabilitation Center for their care and compassion shown to their Mom over the past 18 months.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorials be made in Mrs. Burch's memory to First Baptist Church of Clyde, PO Box 356, Clyde, NC 28721.

Crawford / Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service is deeply honored to be caring for the Burch family.