Edith "Edie" Mae Helm

Edith “Edie” Mae Helm was born on April 29, 1935, in Davenport, OK, and departed this life on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, in Chandler, OK, at the age of 75 years. Edie, the daughter of James H. and Virginia (Cornett) Johnson, was a long-time resident of Lincoln County. She married Lee Helm on November 12, 1955 in Chandler. Shortly thereafter, she became ill and learned that she was dying of kidney failure. Then in 1956, Edie and her twin sister Wanda made history when they became only the second set of twins, and first female, to undergo a kidney transplant at Peter Bent Brigham Women and Children’s Hospital in Boston, Mass. Wanda gave Edie another 55 years of life when she offered to give her kidney to her sister. In 1996, Edie, Wanda and close family went back to Boston to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the surgery and to Honor Noble Prize winning Doctor Joseph E. Murray. At that time Edie was the longest living transplant recipient. Her parents, husband, one sister-in-law, and four brothers-in-law preceded Edie in death. Survivors include one son & daughter-in-law, John & Donna Helm of Ripley, OK, one daughter & son-in-law, Vickie & Randy Hicks of Chandler, twin sister, Wanda Faye Foster of Davenport, OK, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth & Martha Johnson of Sparks, OK, Jim & Ann Johnson of Davenport, OK, Sandy & Max Haines of Ponca City, OK, sister-in-law & brother-in-law Glenda & Larry Miller of Chandler, brother-in-law Eddie Helm of Chandler, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, April 8, 2011, at Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler, with Rev. Michael Mitchell officiating. Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Chandler, OK.