JOSEPH M. HELTON November 6, 1936 - September 10, 2011 Joseph M. Helton (Joe) died early Saturday morning on September 10, 2011. He was born on November 6, 1936, grew up in Stockton, Alabama, and had resided in Milton, Florida since 1963. Joe was preceded in death by his parents Allen J. and Stella Helton of Stockton, Alabama; his brother Darrington Helton of Montgomery, Alabama; and his sisters Mary Bell of Mobile, Alabama and Johnny O’Flinn of Selma, Alabama. He is survived by his wife Peggy Akins Helton; his son Joseph M. Helton, Jr., and his wife Mary Anne Helton and their two children Joseph M. Helton, III and Sarah Caroline Helton of Tallahassee, Florida; two brothers Allen J. Helton and his wife Alene Helton of Merritt Island, Florida, and Thomas E. Helton and his wife Jean Helton of Milton, Florida. He also had numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, including grand nieces who were also very special to him. Joe was a teacher who spent his career at Milton High School where he touched the lives of many young people and co-workers. He graduated from Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette, Alabama in 1954, served in the United States Army during the Korean War, graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in Educational Leadership in 1963, and later received a M.S. in Education from the University of West Florida. Joe was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church of Milton, Florida. The funeral will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at Lewis Funeral Homes in Milton. Pall Bearers for the funeral will be Mike Crawley, Gene Wessinger, Don Moore, Jerry Medders. Bogan McQuigg, and Hurley Manning. Honorary Pall Bears will be the Willing Workers Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church of Milton. The family is requesting donations to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.