Helen Grace English Howell

Helen Grace English Howell died peacefully on January 15, 2017 in Plano, Texas at the age of 93. Upon her death, another member of the Greatest Generation left this earth. Helen was a special person who lived a long and beautiful life. Her independent spirit and nature, her enduring strength, and her quiet and gentle acceptance of life are admired by all who knew her. Coming from a strong Baptist family, Helen was a lifelong member of The Baptist Church.

Helen was born on October 26, 1923 in Bailey, TX to Jesse David English and Lucile Catherine Sharpe English. Her childhood was spent in Bailey, TX and Antlers, OK. She played trumpet in her high school band and graduated from Antlers High School in 1942.

Helen was required to wait until her 20th birthday and with her father’s permission joined The United States Marine Corps to serve her Country during World War II in 1944. She was in the second class of Women Marines to graduate from Boot Camp during The War. After boot camp at Camp Le Jeune, NC, she attended Mechanical Training School at the Naval Air Station in Norman, OK. Helen transferred to Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in NC. She worked in Aircraft “Engine Overhaul” and played reveille daily for morning roll call. On leave, Helen and a group of fellow Women Marines, were diverted from Washington D.C to New York City by a troop train blocking the tracks. In NYC, they saw Tommy Dorsey and were constantly stopped on the streets as no one had seen a Woman Marine before.

At the end of World War II, Helen was offered the opportunity to transfer to Hawaii. Homesick for Dallas though, she was Honorably Discharged in February 1946 with the rank of Corporal.

When the United States Marine Corps Reserves for Women was created in early 1950, Helen reenlisted at the Dallas Naval Air Station in Grand Prairie, TX. She became a platoon leader and was back to playing reveille again.

It was at the Dallas Naval Air Station that Helen met her future husband and love of her life, William J. (Bill) Howell. They were married in July of 1950. As women were not allowed to serve if they were married, she left the Marine Corps Reserves. Helen loved the Marines, but she loved Bill more.

Helen and Bill had three children: Sharon, Mark and Pamela. Bill, still on active duty with the Marine Corps, was transferred to El Toro Marine Corp Air Station in Orange County, CA and the family moved with him.

Helen loved her children more than life itself and she was a strong guiding force throughout her children’s lives. She was extremely proud of them and totally supportive of them in their endeavors.

Returning to Dallas in later years, she continued to work in Government Service and, after retirement, worked with children in Parents’ Day Out programs until her 80th birthday.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents; her sister Marion Stone; and her brothers Jesse David English, Jr. and John Robert English; her son-in-law Michael Hunter. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Pierce and husband Larry; son Mark Howell and wife Mable; and daughter Pamela Pickard and husband Douglas. Helen is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she dearly loved.

A graveside service will be held at The Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Thursday, January 26, at 1:00 pm.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at alzinfo.org.