Helen Cairnes Morgan

Asheville – Helen Louise Cairnes Morgan, 86, departed this life on July 19, 2010 at Mission Hospitals Memorial Campus. She was born on July 28, 1923 in Buncombe County and was a daughter of the late Thomas Hooper Cairnes and Carrie Clayton Cairnes. Also preceding her in death was her husband, James Lawrence Morgan and an infant son, James Lawrence Morgan II; sisters, Edith Gardin, Elizabeth Freeman, Carolyn Furiegh and only brother, Alvoid Julius Cairnes. 1940 at the age of 16, she graduated from Lee Edwards High School. After graduation she was hired by St. Joseph's Hospital as a personal assistant to the Sisters of Mercy and following that she was associated with American Enka and Southern Bell. During the II World War, she did volunteer work at the Moore General Hospital and remained in touch with many of the patients she shared time with. Throughout the 1950's she and her husband lived in Dunedin, Florida where they both had positions with the Dunedin Hotel. She encouraged some of the guests there to consider Asheville as a summer home. Art, classical music and her family were the chosen loves. She was a published song writer and had an extensive record collection of classical music. Left to share her memory, and her unconditional love are her sisters, Darlene Warren of Gran Blanc, Michigan and Nancy White of Asheville and her nieces and legal guardians, Judy Needle and Anne Sparks of Asheville; several nieces and nephews and their families. The family would like to thank the Doctors and Staff in the Owen Heart Center and the palliative care professionals for all their care and support as well as Chunns Cove Assisted Living and Staff. A graveside service will be held on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Shepherd Memorial Park conducted by the Rev. Donald Welborn. Pallbearers will be her nephews, Thomas Gardin, Patrick Monahan, Joseph Sparks, Myron Needle, Robert Warren and Larry Cairnes. The family will receive friends following the service at the family home, 33 Hillendale, Asheville, NC 28805.