Elvis' Kin Share Their Memories of Elvis...

Many of us knew and loved Elvis. Not all of us were found spending days at Graceland for many lived a good distance away and were not able to enjoy such pleasures outside of their own home lives. Still, Elvis somehow found kinfolk across the miles and kept in touch on a regular basis, when he could. Others spent alot of time at Graceland, and with Elvis in person, and following are some of those stories we, gladly, share with you.

Richard Helms Remembers Elvis...

Richard Helms of Tupelo, Mississippi, kin to both Helms, Hargett and Presley, has some wonderful memories to share of Elvis and family.

Richard grew up around the Presley family in Tupelo. His Uncle Allen Helms was married to Maude King, a cousin and best friend to Gladys Presley. They worked together and socialized together. The families were very close in Tupelo, and even though Richard was very young when Elvis' star began to climb, his memories of Elvis began when he was eight years old.

While he remembers Gladys and Vernon very well in Tupelo, Elvis went off on his career and in 1956 the family moved to Audubon Drive. Richard's two fondest memories of Elvis are shared here.

Tupelo Remembered Elvis at the Fair - 1956

As a small child, Richard Helms remembers when Elvis came back to Tupelo after becoming a sensation. The town welcomed him home with fanfare worthy of a king. Elvis was set to perform at the fair, and before the event, there was a grand parade where Elvis was in the lead car waving to all those he had known since childhood and who now waved back to him, shouting out their pride over his achievments as a Tupelo native. After the parade and staged event, the townfolk and Elvis' relatives and friends gathered together in feast and to congratulate Tupelo's successful son.

Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show

Richard remembers the day Elvis was to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show. His Uncle Allen had purchased one of the first television sets, the only person in the area to own a tv. Relatives and friends congregated that night at Allen and Maude's house to watch Elvis debut on Ed Sullivan. Excitement filled the room, however, the thing that bothered Allen Helms most about Elvis' appearance on the show, was his...appearance! Richard remembers Allen's exact words that night: "Glady's boy needs a haircut!" But for the love of family!

Barbara Lee on Richard Helms

Sadly, Richard has passed on and will not see the revised website. We had worked together on the family genealogy. More is the sadness that he died alone and without relatives nearby. May God watch over him and bring him to eternal peace with the Lord.