Gifford Lalen Helms, age 74, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at Twin Rivers Health & Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia. He was born February 20, 1934, in Arkadelphia, the son of the late William Horace & Ollie Vivian Ruff Helms. Gifford was a retired parts manager for Shepherd Auto, Nix Equipment and Rickett s Diesel & Wrecker Service, a United States Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of Mt. Bethel Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by one son Danny Helms. Gifford is survived by his wife, Lillian Joyce Hancock Helms, three sons, Anthony Helms, Randy Helms & Sammy Helms all of Arkadelphia, two sisters, Dorothy Buck of Cabot & Betty Whitley of Malvern, two brothers, George & Robert Helms both of Arkadelphia, three grandchildren & one great grandchild. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Richland Cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Anderson officiating. Family hours are 6 to 8 PM on Friday at Welch Funeral Home in Arkadelphia. Pallbearers will be Gifford s nephews. Memorials may be made to Richland Cemetery Fund, c/o Floyd Thomas, 973 Central Road, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. The family will be at the home of Mr. & Mrs. George Helms, 310 Echols Road, Arkadelphia. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign guest book.