Helen Arthur-Cornett

Cabarrus County has lost an icon. After 96 incredible years, Helen Bird Caldwell Arthur-Cornett left us peacefully on November 16, 2021. She is survived by her two daughters Dorothy Morris Teeter (John) of Concord and Jennifer Morris Pendergrass of Reidsville; four grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A journalist, independent writer, historian, genealogist, adventurer, passionate horse lover, avid bridge player, voracious reader, devoted Episcopalian, and inimitable mother, she knew no boundaries when it came to creativity and enthusiasm.

Helen grew up in Concord, the daughter of Eugene Denson and Lena Olliff Caldwell, and graduated from Concord High School. She attended Furman University and graduated from the University of Georgia where she majored in journalism, and then espoused all the tenets of the esteemed Fourth Estate. She began her writing career at the then Concord Tribune where she rose to Co-Editor. She joined the staff of the Charlotte Observer (Cabarrus Neighbors edition) in the early 1970s where she remained until she fully retired, some 40+ years later. She received many, many awards for her fascinating and imaginative feature articles and well-researched history columns that included North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a rattlesnake hunter, riding with a motorcycle club, mountain climbing with a priest, covering the KKK trial, Revolutionary War adventurers, and WW2 glider pilots, to name just a few.

Helen loved North Carolina, and especially Cabarrus County where her family settled in the Rocky River area in the late 1700s; and she had a strong bond with Scotland and Ireland, where most of her Cabarrus County relatives originated.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at All Saints Episcopal Church, officiated by Rev. Nancy Cox. The family will hold a reception following the service in the Living Room.

Memorials may be made to All Saint Episcopal Church, 525 Lake Concord Road NE, Concord, NC 28025.