Helen Smith, passed away in Santa Fe, NM. in the company of her children.
Graveside service will be held Saturday October 25, 2025 at 10:30am at the Zephyr Cemetery in Zephyr, Texas.
Helen grew up in Oklahoma. Her dad was an airplane parts inspector at Tinker Air Force Base, and her mom ran a “beauty shop” out of their home. They didn’t have much money; in fact, they didn’t have an indoor bathroom until Helen was in fifth grade, but she and her older sister Rosie were active in church, played sports, and otherwise persevered, enjoying each other’s company and finding happiness in friends and activities.
Helen met her future husband, Gary, at church when she was seventeen. She was sitting in a pew in front of Gary the first time he saw her. She had long, dark brown hair and was sitting next to ‘brother Shoto,’ a Native American man, causing Gary to believe she was Mr. Shoto’s daughter. He said she looked exotic. It was love at first sight. A year later they were married.
Shortly after their marriage, Gary became very ill. During the first five years of their marriage there were multiple times when Helen believed Gary was “not going to make it” and indeed he was close to dying several times. They were young, had no money, and therefore were ignored and treated poorly by doctors and hospitals. Once, when Gary’s lips were turning blue from lack of oxygen, Helen rushed him to the emergency room but they were turned away because they didn’t have insurance. Helen drove Gary 20 miles to the next hospital that would help “people like them.” During all of this, Helen had a new son and a job. She says it “was the hardest time of my life. I was so scared.”
Gary and Helen not only made it through the rough times, they flourished. They genuinely loved one another. Throughout their marriage, Mom and Dad held hands and laughed. Once, when Dad and I were at a cancer checkup for mom, he told me how proud he was of her. He said, “She is a strong woman. She’s kinda cute too.” then he winked and laughed. Dad passed away September 25, 2022.
Helen, my mom, was a woman of quiet strength, deep love, and enduring faith. She leaves behind two children, me (Sherri) and David, and a host of family and friends. She will be missed more than words can ever say. Services entrusted to Brownwood Funeral Home.
As we say goodbye for now, we hold tightly to the promise of reunion. What a day of rejoicing that will be!
“In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alzheimer’s research or a charity of your choosing.”
