Sandra Cox Helton

Sandra passed away on March 20, 2021 at age 81. She was born in Austin, TX., but her roots were in Coleman County where she graduated as valedictorian from Coleman High School. Texas Tech was her college of choice, foregoing her parents' Longhorn loyalty to go to Lubbock where her future husband, Ron Helton, was going to school and working at Schmidt & Stuart, an architectural firm. At Tech she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, making lifelong friends who stayed in touch and after becoming empty nesters were able to take many trips together. While at Tech her interests and dedication prompted her membership in the English honorary, Sigma Tau Delta, the Junior Council, Mortar Board, and Phi Kappa Phi, of which she was president. She graduated summa cum laude in January 1961 with a B.S. in Education and teaching majors in math and English.

Sandra and Ron married March 11, 1961 and lived in Abilene, Tx. where she taught math for three years before their sons Scott and Paul were born. In 1969 they moved to Austin where she volunteered for various charities and organizations including Laguna Gloria Art Museum (Fiesta), Natural Science Center, Women's Architectural League, and her sons' schools and teams. Having spent her early childhood in Austin, getting back to its lush climate inspired her to become an avid gardener. In the mid 70's she joined the tennis craze and played tournaments for many years, then socially until she was 77.

In the early 90's she was among those privileged to take bridge lessons from Mildred Breed, a national champion. Duplicate bridge became another passion and with the help of good partners achieved Bronze Life Master. She was asked to teach a group of novice bridge players who became fast friends and all became members of the duplicate bridge community.

Among many special times she remembered were those spent at the family lake lot on Lake Travis. There, sons Scott and Paul, family, and friends had cook outs, swam, fished, water skied, and sailed. Later on, grandsons Blake and Cole were also privy to the lake experience.

Sandra had a curiosity about everything and always had a book at hand. She relished a witty story and shared a love of drama and musicals with many friends. From an early age she had a sense of tolerance and fairness to all which was evidenced by her liberal bent.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Ron Helton, two sons Scott and Paul Helton, Scott's wife Courtney, grandsons Blake and Cole Helton, brother Terry Cox and nephews, Jon and Justin Cox.

A celebration of Sandra's life will be held on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 10:00 am at Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum, 605 Azie Morton Rd, Austin, TX 78704. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Meals on Wheels, 3227 E. 5th St., Austin, TX 78702, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, 9301 Hog Eye Rd. Ste. 950, Austin, TX 78724 or the charity of your choice.