Reginald H. Helms was born on February 7, 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Clarence and Winona Helms. “Reggie” was raised by both parents in Paris Village in the Hill District of Pittsburgh where he attended Pittsburgh Public Schools. As a child, Reggie was good with electronics and known as the handyman. He would repair radios, toasters, and televisions for the neighborhood.

       After graduating from Schenley High School, Reggie married his high school sweetheart, Gloria. From this union, they had one child, Kimberly. Two days after Kimberly was born, Reggie left for Viet Nam, where he fought for our country and proudly served as a Signal Support Systems Specialist. While in the military, he earned the following medals: National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Viet Nam Campaign Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.  After being honorably discharged from the Army, he relocated to Virginia to be near his family.

       In Virginia, he found his long-term love, Yvonne Watkins. They were married in 1974, and from this union Karla was born. Yvonne and Reggie had a beautiful life with a blended family of 6 children. Reggie’s love for communications continued by attending Syracuse University where he pursued a degree in Communications, which led to a career in broadcasting.

     For the last 30 years of his life, Reggie had a multi-faceted career as an entrepreneur. His proudest venture was launching his family-owned BBQ sauce company, Miss Lula’s Foods, named after his grandmother.

     Reggie was preceded in death by his parents, Winona and Clarence Helms, and older brother, Karl; Reggie leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Yvonne, three sisters Shirley Poe, Janet Helms and Wanda Davis. He also leaves behind six lovely children Kimberly (Kelvin) Beatty, Karla (Eric) Frazier, Karen Watkins, Sharon Fears, Aarron Helms, Darrin (YalLu) Helms, nine grandchildren, Robert, Ryan, Ian, Tara, India, Rashaad, Christopher, Carmen, Maya, four great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

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