Helen Courtney Hipps Dempsey

Helen Courtney Hipps Dempsey, 94, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2018, at the WNC Baptist Home. A native of Buncombe County, Helen was a daughter of the late A. Pearman and Ardie Hall Courtney. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Troy Hipps; second husband, Nathan Dempsey; and brother, James H. Courtney. Mrs. Dempsey graduated from Cecil's Business College. She worked at the Bank of Asheville for nine years and then in the Accounts Payable Dept. of the Buncombe Co. Board of Education for 30 years. She was a lifelong member of Montmorenci United Methodist Church and had volunteered at Mission Hospital for 18 years and the American Red Cross for five years. Her main focus was always centered upon doing for others. She is survived by her sister, Celia Nail; niece, Susan Courtney Tucker; and nephews, William M. Nail, III (Ann), James H. Courtney, Jr. (Beth), and Hal Alexander, and special nieces, Linda Bamford (Paul) and Michelle Bamford. The funeral service for Mrs. Dempsey will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Montmorenci United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karen Kurtz officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Montmorenci United Methodist Cemetery Fund, PO Box 610, Candler, NC 28715.