Helen Elizabeth Stallworth

Born April 18, 1918 to parents Irene Beck and Ray O’Leary, Helen was a native and lifelong Houstonian. Helen attended Jeff Davis High School where she was a founding member of the Carlton Cadets Drill Team. “Tootie”, as friends affectionately called her, wed her sweetheart John Lane Stallworth on February 29, 1936. Together they had two sons – John Raymond and Darrell Lane, and were blessed to share in 70 years of marriage until John’s death in 2006. She was an active volunteer at Christ the King Catholic School and remained a lifelong member of Christ the King Catholic Church. She also served as an Officer in the Mother’s Club at St. Thomas High School and Officer in the PTA at St. Pius X Catholic High School.

“Nanny” or “Nan” was a faithful follower of Christ and dedicated to her Catholic faith. As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother, she was also devoted to her husband and children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nan was a talented seamstress and cook, serving us all with her gifts. And how she loved to drive! Nan was an ever-present blessing in our lives, never missing a school play, a dance recital, a swim meet, or her self-proclaimed favorite high school football games. Her unwavering commitment to faith, family, and marriage will be her legacy.

Helen is survived by her sons John Raymond Stallworth and wife Dana, and Darrell Lane Stallworth and wife Kathleen; grandchildren Stephen Stallworth and Gregory Stallworth, both of Houston; Christian Lane Stallworth, MD and wife Jenny of San Antonio; Nathan John Stallworth and wife Amber of Houston; Kyle Hansen Stallworth of Houston; Taylor Alexis Stallworth Wheeler and husband Jordan of Houston; great-grandchildren McKenna, Lane, Aspen and Jackson Stallworth of San Antonio, and Logan Wheeler of Houston; and her sister, Cleo Congrady of Alvin. Helen was preceded in death by her adoring husband of 70 years, John Lane Stallworth, parents Ray and Irene O’Leary, and brothers Ray O’Leary, Jr. and Joseph A. Congrady, Jr. who was killed at the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World War II.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 25, 2012 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. Rosary Services will begin at 6:30 pm with a Vigil Service at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 26, 2012 at 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4419 North Main Street, Houston, Texas 77009. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 3502 North Main Street at I-45, Houston, Texas 77009. Pallbearers are Stephen Stallworth, Greg Stallworth, Christian Stallworth, Nathan Stallworth, Kyle Stallworth, and Jordan Wheeler.

In lieu of flowers, the Stallworth Family requests charitable contributions be made in Helen’s memory to Reach Unlimited, Inc., 1277 Jones Road, Suite 103, Houston, Texas 77070, (281) 469-8058 www.reachunlimited.org or Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030 (713) 467-7423 www.houstonhospice.org.