Coleman Helme

HELME, Coleman Douglas, artist, scholar, good friend, stout churchwoman, wife and mother died Tuesday, April 9th. She was born January 19, 1930 in Nashville, daughter of Dr. Beverly Douglas and Josephine Hutton Douglas. She attended Ward-Belmont and was graduated from The Madiera School and Vassar College. After architectural work in New York, she married Dr. James B. Helme and later practiced landscape architecture in Nashville where she designed many notable gardens, including collaborative work on the Japanese Gardens at Cheekwood and the Gazebo. She designed the needlepoint kneelers that surround the communion rail at Christ Church Cathedral where she sang in the choir for 40 years and headed the welcoming committee for newcomers. She is survived by her children, Susie Helme, Cary Bruestle (John), Martha Helme, and Franklin Helme; her grandchildren, Maya and Genji Tateyama, Stephen, Thomas and Anna Bruestle, and Cole and Rachel Brewer; and her brother, Beverly Douglas, Jr. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 15th at Christ Church Cathedral, 900 Broadway. Visitation at the church with the family preceding the service will begin at 9:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church Cathedral or Alive Hospice Nashville.