Wilma J. Helton, 80, daughter of Henry G. “Pete” West and Eva Howk West Casebeer, was born July 27, 1927, near Upton. She died Aug. 3, 2007, at Houston House Nursing Center.
Her father died when she was age 2, and she was raised with her brothers on a farm in the Upton community. She attended Pleasant Ridge and Number One grade schools, graduating from Houston High School in 1945.
She married David Helton July 27, 1958. They raised beef cattle on their farm in Pulaski County near the south gate of Fort Leonard Wood.
Mrs. Helton worked at International Shoe for more than six years. She continued to raise beef cattle after the death of her husband in 1983 until ill health forced her to move to Houston. As her health deteriorated, he moved to Houston House in 1999.
She was a member of the Number One Free Will Baptist Church.
Mrs. Helton excelled in gardening with trophy flowers and vegetables. Her pecan pies were world class. She loved to crochet and hand-quilted more than 30 quilts, donating them to various fund-raisers in the Evening Shade/Roby area.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Dale West; and a half brother, Frank Shelhammer.
Surviving is a nephew, Don Shelhammer of Raymondville.
Services were Aug. 7 at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Wesley Wallace officiating. Burial was in the Palace Cemetery.
