Chrissy Jager Helvey

Chrissy Ann Jager Helvey, 51, of Greenville, SC, passed away on Christmas Eve 2024, but it took death 10 years to catch her. A decade ago, after 6 years of puzzling symptoms, a specialist identified a rare, terminal condition, systemic scleroderma, and gave her a short time to live. But Chrissy never met a limit that she was not going to push. Her diagnosis was no different.

Chrissy was born on September 20, 1973, in Atlanta, GA. She was baptized “Chrisoula” at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Charleston, SC. From birth she was a boundary tester, headstrong and independent. From climbing trees to (secretly) crossing state lines, she kept her parents on their toes. Afflicted with Attention Deficit Disorder, she was an experiential learner. Traditional academics did not come easily. Chrissy would say that she felt she had to work three times as hard as her classmates just to keep up. But there was no multiplier that was going to stop Chrissy from earning her degrees once she set her mind on doing so. Determined to finish her education, she earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from Clemson University, and later a master’s degree in teaching from Converse College.

The free spirit percolating throughout Chrissy’s childhood came to the fore in adulthood. After graduation, she surprised her Clemson classmates and professors when she won an internship in Hawaii! There, she lived in a tent on a volcano for 3 months tracking and tagging animals. As a Kiawah Island naturalist, she led educational hikes and kayaking tours. She loved teaching the visiting kids about the low country’s flora and fauna, especially alligators, turtles, and snakes. As a private school educator and tutor in Greenville, SC, Chrissy was encouraging and patient. Drawing from her own difficulties in school, she never let a child feel as though they were unworthy or incapable simply because they learned differently than they were “supposed to.”  Chrissy loved to share her passion for nature and the outdoors.

Her adventures were spontaneous: A road trip across the country. A hike through Badlands National Park with her sister and future brother-in-law. A four-day drive from Los Angeles to Seattle via California’s Highway 1 with her cousin. And skydiving (according to her parents, too much skydiving). Her interactions were equally unconventional and memorable: at times it seemed Chrissy was as likely to show up at 12am as she was at 12noon. Nevertheless, every visit was special. Perhaps because nothing in life came easy to her, Chrissy had an uncanny ability to accept everyone for who they were, without judgment. Kind to her core, she had a knack for making people feel better. The world has lost one of its best listeners.

There was no one Chrissy loved more than her son, Jager, and nothing she enjoyed more than planning adventures with him. Despite her illness, she combined all her personality traits into being an extraordinary mother. Chrissy made sure that her son was well-rounded physically, intellectually, and spiritually. She enrolled him in football, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, cub scouts and music lessons. She sternly emphasized the importance of academics. She had him in Greek Sunday School and church. She was the catalyst for his being a volunteer at the Greenville Greek festival. As scleroderma took its toll on her, Jager gave her strength, comfort, determination, and reason to live.

It was Chrissy’s goal to show her son all fifty states. Despite her deteriorating health, they made it to forty. And, miraculously, to Greece in 2023! From ziplining in Washington State, to riding roller coasters in Ohio, to driving dune buggies in the Nevada desert, their exploits created family legends and priceless, treasured memories. There are 10 more U.S. states to visit, and her family plans to make sure the 50-state goal is completed in honor of Chrissy.

The scleroderma may have ravaged Chrissy’s body, but it never touched her spirit. Death comes for us all. Chrissy was the rare breed who, with God’s help, had the power to make it wait.

Waiting to greet Chrissy in Heaven are her maternal and paternal grandparents as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Chrissy is survived by her parents, Charles and Anthoula Jager, her son, Jager Helvey, and her sister and brother-in-law, Teri and Chris Worl. She is remembered by her Godmother, her uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Services will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity at 34 Race St. Charleston, SC on Friday, January 10, 2025. The visitation and wake start at 11:00 am at the church. The funeral service is at 12:00 PM. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Rd., Charleston, SC 29414. The Makaria meal will follow the burial service at the church.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Joseph C. Shanahan of Durham, North Carolina, whose knowledge of the latest scleroderma research, whose dedication to understanding the science of the disease, and whose extraordinary ability to instill optimism, without downplaying the reality of systemic scleroderma, were significant factors in extending Chrissy’s active life and achievements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Chrissy to the National Scleroderma Foundation at https://scleroderma.org/ .

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC (834) 766-1365 .