Hilma Helton Nepote
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Hilma Helton Nepote, 87, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, in Perry, Fla., after years of declining health due to diabetes and congestive heart failure.
She was born Sept. 14, 1922, at Magan Station, Ky., to Dena Hicks Helton and Otis Helton. She grew up in Kentucky and later Eldorado, where she won a state-wide math competition. She attended college in Evansville, Ind., prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy (WAVES) during World War II. While in the Navy, she was trained at Hunter College in New York, and rose to rank of Petty Officer Second Class. She was assigned to the torpedo dive-bombing school at Cecil Field in Jacksonville, Fla., as an enlisted man's payroll clerk. These were her most cherished moments in service to her country.
In September 1944, she married Cecil Nepote, settling in Atlanta, Ga. As a widow, she raised three children while working at various secretarial positions. She became the executive secretary of the finance officer of Lithonia Lighting. She also obtained her broker's license in real estate in Georgia. She was a member of the America Business Women's Association. After retirement, she relocated to Perry, Fla., where she was a member of the Woman's Club of Perry and a member of the First Baptist Church. Hilma was a proud charter member of the Women's Veteran's Memorial organization and actually attended opening ceremonies in Washington, D.C., in 1997.
Hilma was predeceased by her mother, father, husband, two brothers and sister.
Survivors include her children and their families, Michael Paul Nepote (wife Debbie), Vicki Nepote Bolton (Philip Peters Bolton) and Cecile Nepote Hance; grandchildren and stepgrandchildren, Cadee Nepote, Crissy Bohling (Tucker), John Michael Nepote, K.C. Bolton, Trina Bolton, Rob Hance (Glenda), Richy Hance (Laura) and Donnie Hance; great-grandchildren, Morgan Nepote, Emily, Fisher and Darci Bohling, Shelbi Barrow (Hance) and Allison Barrow (Hance), Jessica and Brandon Hance; two special nieces, Robie Stanley and Leanna Bankston; and one special nephew, Jerry Helton.
Memorial gifts may be made to Big Bend Hospice or First Baptist Church of Perry.
Arrangements are being coordinated by Joe P. Burns Funeral Home in Perry, Fla., at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2010. Interment will be held in Decatur, Ga.