Marion, Va.

Katherine Elizabeth Helton, age 30, passed away, Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Bristol Regional Medical Center.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a purpose and plan for all of us. Katherine’s purpose was to serve and she started that with her family making sure cousins, Archie, Penny and her adopted kids were cared for, gifted, typically with a puzzle and most importantly loved. Katherine’s place was her church. She was very involved in the worship team. Katherine was diagnosed early in life with Prader-Willie Syndrome, a genetic disorder. This didn’t slow her down until the very end. As a matter of fact, she became “un-charted” waters by working for an advanced high school diploma and attending college. We can learn so much from her and how she lived her life. What a blessing to know God’s love and plan- a healed, healthy Katherine with so many family and friends in Heaven today.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Tom and Liz Ewald, Doug and Betty Helton; aunt, Tammy Sears; four legged baby, Wes Helton.

Katherine is survived by her parents, Marvin and Lynda Helton of Marion, Va.; brother, Lucas Helton of Marion, Va.; sister, Ellie Guttman and husband, Jack of Malvern, PA; very special niece and nephew, Archie and Penny; many aunts and uncles, Suzie and Johnny Johnson of Atkins, Va., Clay and Becky Ewald of Marion, Va., Todd and Leslie Ewald of Roanoke, Va., Martha and PeeDee Walters of Rural Retreat, Va., Joe Sears of Marion Va., Chris and Tobi Helton of Roanoke, Va.; many cousins who loved her dearly and she loved right back; four legged baby, Georgia.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, October 5, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Highlands Fellowship, Marion Campus with Pastor James Dick officiating. Burial will be private at Rose Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Katherine’s Kids Endowment for Hope through the Smyth County Community Foundation to focus on a program for people with special needs, especially children. To makes donations please visit smythccf.org/donate.

To share memories of Katherine Helton, please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Katherine’s family has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion Va. 24354.