Helen Moore Smith was born Dec. 28, 1919, the fifth child of Fred Moore and Mina Buffington Moore. Helen departed this life on Oct. 24, 2014, at the age of 94 years, 9 months and 26 days.
Helen was born in Gilson, Ill. She lived in several different towns in Illinois while growing up. Her family traveled to Texas for the winter months in the early 1930s. In 1936, they moved to Eunice, M0.
In 1939, Helen married Roy W. Smith of Eunice and to this union one son, Charles, was born.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clarence, Russell, Earl, Richard, Robert, Thomas and Laurence; and also four sisters, Dorothy Hoben, Mildred Dixon, Lois Caldwell and Gene Unger.
Helen is survived by her son, Charles and wife, Marlyn, of Eunice, Mo.; two granddaughters, Carla Smith of Springfield, Mo., and Diana Bryan and husband, Laurence, of Billings, Mo.; two great-great grandchildren, Kaleena Smith of Jennings, La., and Luke Smith of Springfield, Mo.; three sisters-in-law, Betty Moore of the Chicago, Ill., area, Betty Moore of Galesburg, Ill., and Judy Greene of Knoxville, Ill.; also many nieces and nephews of the Moore and Smith families.
Helen worked at International Shoe Factory in Houston, Mo., from 1946-1958 when the factory closed. She then worked at shoe factories in Cabool and Mountain Grove, Mo. In the early 1960s, Helen went to work at the Angelica Uniform Factory in Summersville, Mo., and worked until she retired at age 66.
Helen was an accomplished seamstress, sewing and altering clothing for many family and friends. She made most of her own clothing and many of her granddaughters dresses, including school formals and wedding gowns for both girls.
Helen was saved in her teen years and was baptized in Big Creek near Eunice, Mo. She was a member of the Yukon Methodist Church until it closed and then attended Eunice Baptist Church as well as several other area churches for revivals and gospel singing. She taught Childrenâs Church for over 25 years at Eunice Baptist.
Helen will be greatly missed by her family and many, many friends.
Services were 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, at Eunice Baptist Church with the Rev. Gordon Rhodes officiating. Pallbearers were Elmer Bailey, Ron Stow, Ervin Carpenter, Bob Branstetter, Tim Roehl and Bob Gaston. Burial was in Big Creek Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Texas County Hospice of Care or Big Creek Cemetery. To send an online condolence, go to www.evansfh.com.
PAID