Helen Faye Lahtela

Mrs. Helen Faye Lahtela, 76, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 13, 2018, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.  Born May 8, 1942, in Surry County, Helen was the daughter of the late Monroe and Bess Patton Brinkley of the Holly Springs community.  Helen’s passions were her family, friends, and many travels around the globe.  She spent her early adult years working in Washington, D.C., for the Navy department.  Years later, Helen would make a loving home for her immediate family in Apple Valley, Minnesota, and Florida.  In 2007, Helen and Albert retired to Mount Airy to be closer to their extended family.  In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by a beloved daughter, Kari Elizabeth Lahtela; a loving son, Matthew James Lahtela; a sister, Dorothy Brinkley; and two brothers, George Brinkley and James Brinkley.  She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Albert E. Lahtela; a special grandson, John Buck Lahtela of Boone; a devoted sister, Mary Jo Southerland of Mount Airy; a sister, Ruth Ward of Pilot Mountain; a special niece and nephew-in-law, Amy and Dr. Michael Winter of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; special friends, Lee Anne and Gary Stiffler of Winston-Salem; a niece, Gina Cupstid of Charlotte; and many other extended family members, including Loretta and Sam Meyer of Winston-Salem.  A private service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held for family and friends at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Surry County Special Olympics Program, c/o Surry County Parks and Recreation, 118 Hamby Road, Dobson, NC  27017; or the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC  27017.  Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.