Helen Ruth Lewis Blackman

Helen Ruth Blackman was born January 5st, 1934 in Athens, Texas to William Lawrence and Gertrude Nedum Lewis. Helen was the youngest of four children and the only daughter. As a little girl she loved her grandfather’s barn cats. Helen loved to tag along with her big brothers and many times, they would tell her if she tattled on them about the mischievous things they were doing, that they wouldn’t let her go with them. So, of course, she never told, but her mother always knew.

Helen enjoyed spending time with her brother Truman and did things like running and jumping off the barn roof shouting, “I’m an Airplane!”, walking on rail road tracks and even trying to skip school. The Lewis family moved to Greenville, Texas when Helen was 6 years old. She attended the Bowles Orphanage School, where she had a hard time, but the children accepted her and she never had to worry about pencils, paper or anything else. The other kids at school made sure her supplies were well stocked. As a teenager, Helen, and her parents moved to Dallas, Texas, where she would drop out after the 9th grade. Helen went straight to work after High School. Helen, like many young single ladies, loved to go out at night with friends to dances, and skating rings. Helen’s escapades always left her mother on her knees praying for protection, safety and salvation for Helen.

Helen met her future husband, Huey, on a blind date and wasn’t interested in anything serious, but after a short courtship they married on January 1st, 1953. Together they raised 3 daughters, Julie Ann, Mary Jeanette, and Sharon Lynn in Dallas, Texas.

Helen Loved music and learned to play both piano and the organ. She enjoyed playing at her home church, Lake June Church of Nazarene of Dallas, Texas. She also gave beginner piano and organ lessons from her home and wrote her own music. Helen Worked at Pollock Paper Co. and Stocktons (a sewing factory) for a short time. She then focused on raising her children. When Sharon began school, Helen began working at Dallas Independent School District as a food service employee. Helen later retired from DISD after over 35 years of faithful service, 33 of those years were at the same school, BH Macon Elementary, as a cafeteria manager.

Helen and her daughter Sharon had the joy and privilege of being members of Heartbeat, a southern Gospel quartet. While she worked with Heartbeat, she traveled all over Texas and ministered to countless churches for over 15 years. When it was time to come off the road, they continued sharing the love of Jesus in their home church, Central Church of Nazarene.

Helen was a true Senior Saint, she never met a stranger and never passed up the chance to testify and share Jesus with anyone who would listen. She would share her love for Jesus anywhere, weather it was Wal-mart or her apartment community. Her greatest desire was that she would see her kids in Heaven. Helen was loved by many. Some of her last words she shared with Sharon were, “I wish I could grab your hand and take you with me.” Helen is at home, celebrating with Jesus.

Helen Ruth Blackman is preceded in death by her parents W.L. Lewis and Gertrude Lewis; brothers, W.L (Dub) Lewis Jr. and his wife Connie, Coy Ellis Lewis and his wife Alberta, and James Truman Lewis; daughters, Julie Ann Blackman, and Mary Jeanette Blackman Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Lynn Blackman; son-in-law, Gary Smith; granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn Smith Dimas and her husband Arthur King Dimas; great-granddaughter Lillyana Neavh Reyes; sister-in-law, Wanda Lewis and many loving nieces and nephews.