Martha Caldwell Helm
Martha Caldwell Helm passed away May 21, 2026, surrounded by loved ones and was able to receive a beautiful send-off by her family. She illuminated the room with her unique, warm, quirky and hilarious personality. She held on just long enough to surpass her husband, Alton, of 64 years, who passed away 5 days prior.
Martha was born on July 3, 1939, in Union City to John Caldwell and Mary Caldwell. She was the youngest among six children (her beautiful siblings: John Walton Caldwell, Ben Caldwell, Mary Critchlow, Joanne Troutman, Frank Caldwell.)
She is survived by her two sons, Neal (Jania) in Maryland, Jeffrey (Denise) in Seagrove Beach, FL; granddaughters, Caroline, Gabrielle, Julia, Cara and Mary Olivia; her sister Joanne; and many nieces and nephews.
She was incredibly social even early on in her life as a teen, a young lady and throughout her life. She attended Memphis State until she was accepted as a flight attendant with TWA Airlines. Martha also worked as a receptionist at an orthodontist office in Bethesda and co-owned the Gingham Goose shop at Normandy Farms in Potomac.
She was residing in New York City at the time she met a young Alton Helm. Martha and Alton were married in Union City. They lived out their lives as Washingtonians for 35 years and spent their retirement years in Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Naples, FL. She and Alton enjoyed traveling to Europe, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean.
She had a wide array of friends and was a gracious host. She has always been blessed with such dear lifelong friends. Martha was known for her beauty, her style and her sense of fashion and decorating. Martha and Alton were beautiful dancers and could also laugh at themselves. They did not take themselves too seriously.
She loved shopping, decorating, travelling, sunbathing, the beach, attending church, being a mom, wife, grandmother and talking on the phone to her sisters and gal friends. She was extremely close with her sisters and brothers and extended family.
The Messenger