Helen Harris Kallam

Helen Harris Kallam, 87, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at Brookdale Senior Living in Reidsville, North Carolina. Born in Rockingham County, Helen was the second of four daughters of George and Murriel Harris of Eden, NC. She grew up in the Carolina Heights subdivision and graduated from Leakesville High School. She married Stanford Kallam in 1947 and they settled in Reidsville where together they raised two children, Bill and Kay. She worked in the Medical Department at The American Tobacco Company and retired with over 40 years of service. She was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church in Reidsville, teaching Sunday school and serving as a member of the United Methodist Women. Helen was an avid reader and gardener. She had a deep devotion to music, teaching herself how to play the piano at a young age. She never learned how to read sheet music but could play almost any song by ear. She had a deep passion for learning and particularly loved current events, often engaging in political discussion and debate. She also loved good food and enjoyed baking and sharing her love for cooking with others. But the most important thing in her life was her family, something she made sure to pass along to her own children. She treasured her friendships and delighted in hearing stories of their families as much as sharing her own. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Murriel Harris, husband, Stanford Kallam of 48 years, sisters, Louise H. Harris, Gloria H. Smith and Bonnie Kay H. Rhodes; and brother-in-law, Fred Smith. She is survived by her children, Bill and wife, Robin Kallam of Reidsville and Kay and husband, John Ruocchio of Raleigh; grandchildren, Thomas Stanford and Lillian Grace Ruocchio of Raleigh; brother-in-laws, Martin Harris of Ridgeway, Virginia and Thomas Rhodes of Charlotte; nephews, Marty Harris and Chris Rhodes, and niece, Amy Rhodes Holman. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 30, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home, 1909 Richardson Drive, Reidsville, North Carolina. A service celebrating her life will be held the following day on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Main Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Joe Tarpley officiating, 221 South Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320. The burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church of Reidsville, 221 South Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320 or to Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC, 27375. The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Brookdale who took such loving care of Helen over the past five years. She truly considered each of you like family. In addition, we are grateful for the care and support provided to her in her final days by the nurses and staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of Guilford County. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be made to the family at www.wilkersonfuneral.com