Ruth Opal Helton

Ruth was born on October 25, 1928, to Otho Lloyd Hudson, Sr. and Roxie (Hilderbrand) Hudson in Levelland, Texas. On February 19, 1949, she married Thomas J. Helton in Austin, Texas. Together, they raised their family on a dairy farm in Austin before retiring to Bastrop in 1986.

Ruth found great joy in raising her family and spending time outdoors camping and fishing. She also loved quilting, sewing, crotcheting and being an active member of the Dessau Home Demonstration Club. Some of her favorite moments were spent playing dominoes, sharing laughter, and making memories with family and friends.

Ruth is survived by her six children: son Donald and Charlene Helton of Cameron; daughter Deborah Helton of Lexington; son Thomas and Brenda Helton of Round Rock; daughter Patricia and Bill Gibson of Rockdale; daughter Ruth Ann and Randy Rohlack of Elgin; and son Daniel and Debi Helton of Pflugerville. She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who will cherish her memory.

Ruth was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Thomas; her parents, Otho and Roxie Hudson; her parents-in-law, Thomas Lee and Beulah Mae Helton; her four brothers and their wives, Otho Jr. and Ellen Hudson, Roy and Betty Hudson, Clyde and Verna Hudson, and Ray and Jerry Hudson; and her grandson, Loren Paul Helton.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ruth's grandsons: Kevin Gibson, Thomas (TJ) Helton, Clayton Rohlack, Daniel Helton, Keith Helton, and Brice Helton. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons Loren Helton and Chad Helton.

A visitation for Ruth will be held Monday, November 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78752. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, with Pastor David Atwood officiating. Burial will follow at Walnut Creek Cemetery, located behind Walnut Creek Baptist Church, 12062 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, Texas 78753.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all of Ruth’s caregivers at The Elgin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Heart to Heart Hospice for the care and support they provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ruth's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Helton family at Cook-Walden Funeral Home.