Helen Ruth Baxter

She was born on the family farm in Somerset, TX on October 26, 1928 to Frank H. and Effie M. Chapman Hoffman.

Helen helped her mom with household responsibilities and became an excellent seamstress at a very early age, making many of her own clothes. She also loved embroidering, creating many cherished items. Helen attended Somerset High School where she enjoyed participating in school plays and leading the high school band as Drum Majorette.

Upon graduation in 1946, Helen moved to San Antonio, TX and was employed by Joske's-of-Texas Department Store in the Diamond Salon and the Personnel and Payroll Departments. While there, in support of the "First Annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo," in 1950, Helen won Joske's "Western Wear Contest."

This achievement was recognized with photo sessions with the contest judges, film star, Bill Elliott and country singer, Eddy Arnold, the rodeo's star entertainers.

Concurrently, she got an evening job selling admission tickets in the beautiful skating rink across Crockett Street from her apartment. Unexpectedly, this provided the perfect opportunity for her to meet the man-of-her dreams and future husband, David V. Baxter, from Rochester, NY. They were married in 1954 at her parent's home in Somerset. David's US Air Force job moved from Kelley AFB to Edinburgh, Scotland, where they truly loved the people, and then to the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

Upon leaving the USAF, they moved back to San Antonio permanently. She was the angel factor for her Mom and Dad during their twilight years, in Somerset, taking care of their many needs.

Helen was never short of ambition. After a successful venture selling Avon products, she ultimately joined American Image Marketing AIM, a distributor of healthy food supplements, working out of their home. It took her only five years to achieve the highest possible level in the organization, the Chairman's Club. She humbly credited product quality with her success, but her love for people and concern for their health were foremost in her mind.

Throughout her entire life, Helen has been a loving, caring and very positive person, always placing others ahead of herself. She could never be heard uttering an unkind word about anyone and her friendship was cherished by many. Her loving and gracious personality will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her sister, Katheryne Hoffman Hicks Fialka and brothers, Herman and Frederick Hoffman.

Helen is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, David; brothers, Kenneth Hoffman of Poteet, Texas, Adolph Hoffman of Somerset and Glenn and wife, Lil Hoffman of San Antonio and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 2, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Porter Loring.

FUNERAL SERVICE

TUESDAY

MAY 3, 2011

10:00 A.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

Officiating, Rev. Arthur "Corkey" Wells. Interment in Lytle Community Cemetery in Lytle, Texas.