Helen Frances Alford

Helen Frances Morgan Alford was born July 8, 1930, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the only child of Wayne Wallace Morgan and Frances Bigham Morgan. After the death of her mother when Helen was three, Helen lived with various relatives in rural Oklahoma during the hard Depression and Dust Bowl era. Later, she was adopted by her uncle, Elmer Morgan, and his wife, Evelyn Phillips Morgan, and grew up with them in Baytown, Texas. For the remainder of her life, Helen loved them as her “Papa” and “Mother.”

Helen’s pre-teen and adolescent years in Baytown were happy ones, in which she made lifelong friends who banded together as the FOOs (Friends On and On). Those friendships did endure – Helen spoke with the only other remaining FOO shortly before her death. In Baytown, Helen first shared her beautiful soprano voice in public as a teenager, as a soloist in church, and on local radio programs. She attended Robert E. Lee High School, where she performed as a member of the Brigadiers drill team.

After high school, Helen attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) and Lee College. In 1950, Helen married her high school sweetheart, Jack Alford, settling in southwest Houston, and began over two decades of various roles, including mother to four children, doctor’s wife, and Navy officer’s wife, during a two-year assignment on the Naval base on Guam. After returning to Houston, she resumed raising her children, singing in church, and furthering her education through her membership in the Delphian Society, where she made more lifelong friends.

In the early 1970s, newly divorced, Helen began her working career as a tour guide for “Meet Houston,” introducing and educating visitors about the Houston and Galveston area. Helen continued as a tour guide with various companies, which allowed her to travel extensively, throughout the United States. Around the same time, Helen was persuaded by her friend, noted theatre director Chris Wilson of Studio 7, a local children’s theatre group, to audition for a role in an upcoming production. Subsequently, Helen performed in many children’s plays with Studio 7.

Helen’s favorite role to play was Mother Goose, which began with performances in local schools as part of an educational incentive program, and continued into her eighties, when Helen performed for church groups, preschools, but most importantly, for her great-grandchildren.

Helen’s start in children’s theatre led to roles in multiple musical productions with Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), in Houston, Texas. Helen remained actively involved in theatre, well into her seventies, when she was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her role in the production of Nunsense, with the Brick Street Players in Tyler, Texas. Over the years, Helen continued to share her musical talents, singing as a soloist in church choirs, for weddings, and other occasions.

The family would like to thank the staff of both The Enclave at Cedar Park, Texas, and New Hope Manor, Cedar Park, Texas, for their care of Helen during the past several years.

Helen died peacefully in Cedar Park, Texas, on December 21, 2025, with her son, Jack, by her side. She was predeceased by her birth parents, adoptive parents, former husband, Jack, and daughter, Janet Lynn Alford. She is survived by half-sister Barbara Jones, sons Jack Jr. (Barbara), James, and Jay (Lisa); grandchildren Steven Alford (Jessica), Amy Mahan (Joseph), and David Alford; and five great-grandchildren.

In Helen’s memory, her family requests that the next time you sing a song, please think of Ms. Helen. If you desire, donations to the St. Joseph's Indian School, the National World War II Museum, or your local animal shelter or theatre group are appreciated.

“A voice has been stilled, but not forgotten.”