Helen Adcock Irvin

Helen Bland Adcock Irvin, age 84, peacefully died in her home of Greensboro, NC, and joined her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 7, 2023. She was born in Oxford, North Carolina, on May 31, 1939, to her beloved late parents, Joseph Solomon Adcock and Virginia Daniel Adcock.

Helen’s life was a testament to being among the most endearing and kind ladies of this lifetime. She was a beautiful woman, who raised her siblings, her children, and her nephew. She always had a beautiful home and an open door to numerous charities and fundraisers. She “did a lot and made it look so easy”.

Helen was awarded a full academic scholarship to the University of North Carolina in the first ever year of the dental assistant program. While in school she met her husband, Dr. John L. Irvin and the father of her children, Dorothy, and John. Even after their divorce, they remained lifelong friends and shared many conversations over a cup of coffee.

Helen had many accolades and positions that she volunteered or led. To name a few she was President of the Dental Auxiliary; a Cub Scout leader; the Chairman of the Cancer Society, President of the Opera Board, a member of the Symphony Board, member of the Who’sWho in America, the President of United Arts Council and owner of a successful interior design company, where she designed the original turnkey development at Wachesaw Plantation in South Carolina and apartments in NYC. She loved to travel extensively and visited many countries and continents. She was beautiful and accomplished and played a part in so many social clubs.

Helen lost her mother at the age off 22 and her father at 23, while living in Germany on the waiting list for military housing with her children, and husband, John. They welcomed her sister, Emilie, and brothers, Steve, and David into the family. She was honored to sing in the Hallelujah chorus of Handel’s Messiah. Before that, she acted in the Community Theater of Greensboro, NC production of Plaza Suite and Mary in the Nativity at Hester Baptist Church and a practiced soloist at weddings and in the Church.

Helen is survived by her loving children, John Irvin, Jr. and Dorothy Irvin; her brother, David Adcock of Greensboro, NC; her sister, Emilie Adcock Fuller of Richmond, VA and her niece, Cynthia Lehan (Jim) of Richmond, VA; her nephew, Christopher W. Fuller of Charlotte, NC and her great niece, Sarah Lehan of Richmond, VA. Helen's warm and loving spirit touched the lives of countless friends and extended family members who will deeply miss her.

Helen was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Stephen S. Adcock and her nephew, Stephen S. Adcock, Jr.

A funeral service to celebrate Helen's life will be held at Hester Baptist Church on Monday, December 11, 2023, at 1:00 pm in the chapel and officiated by Reverend Jeff Hensley. Prior to the service, a visitation will take place from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm in the parlor of the Church. Burial to follow service in the Church cemetery. The Irvin family welcomes all friends and family to join them in remembering and honoring Helen.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Helen’s memory to the American Cancer Association or the American Heart Association.

The Irvin family is receiving honorable care and support from Gentry-Newell & Vaughan, located at 503 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565. Helen’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Helen Bland Adcock Irvin, aged 84, passed away at her home in Greensboro, NC on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Helen was born and raised in Oxford, NC on March 31, 1939, and she lived most of her adult life in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Helen was a beautiful, kind, and endearing woman who raised two children, her younger brothers, and her nephew, while finding time to host charities, clubs, and events at her home, as well as being a sole proprietor of an interior design firm. She kept a warm hearth, an open door, and a helping hand for those in her life. She “did it all and made it look easy.”

Graduating at the top of her class in high school, Helen was awarded a full, academic scholarship to The University of North Carolina. The first in her family to attend college, she was also in the inaugural class at the Dental School’s new dental assistant program. While in the program, Helen met her husband, Dr. John L. Irvin, who was then attending Dental School. While Helen and John later divorced, they remained lifelong friends and continued to raise and nurture their family together.

Helen held many posts during her life. Among these positions were serving as a president of the North Carolina Dental Auxiliary, a chairman of the local Cancer Society, a president of the Greensboro Opera Board, a president of the United Arts Council, and a member of the Greensboro Symphony Board. Helen was also a member of a plethora of organizations. These organizations, clubs, and groups included Who’s Who in America, two garden clubs, Greensboro Ski Club, The English Speaking Union, several bridge groups, as well as a host of others through the years.

Art, music, and interior design were among the passions of Helen’s life. She was a talented painter early in life and left a number of lovely paintings to her family. Helen had a beautiful voice, singing in the choir at her hometown church, Hester Baptist, and performing as a soloist during services and at church weddings. Later on, she was honored to be a member of the chorus in a rendition of Handel’s Messiah and acted in the Community Theater of Greensboro’s Plaza Suite production.

While Helen worked early on as an assistant in her husband’s orthodontic practice, her talents were best found in interior design. She had her own company, Helen Irvin Interiors, where she designed the original turnkey development of Wachesaw Plantation in South Carolina, a number of corporate apartments in New York, condominiums in Myrtle Beach, and many local projects.

Helen is survived by her children, John L. Irvin, Jr. of Greensboro, NC and Dorothy A. Irvin; her brother, David W. Adcock of Greensboro, NC; her sister, Emilie A. Fuller of Richmond VA; her niece Cynthia F. Lehan and her husband Jim F. Lehan of Richmond, VA; her nephew, Christopher W. Fuller of Charlotte, NC; and her great niece, Sarah S. Lehan of Richmond, VA.

Helen was predeceased by her parents, Joseph S. Adcock and Virginia D. Adcock; her brother, Stephen S. Adcock; her nephew, Stephen S. Adcock, Jr.; and her former husband and lifelong friend, Dr. John L. Irvin.

A memorial service will be held later this week in Greensboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and Hospice of the Piedmont.

Helen’s memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.