Helen S. Ryan

Helen was born February 5, 1917 to William Ivan and Wattie Sue Snodgrass in Ennis, TX. She went to be with the Lord January 2, 2015. She graduated from Ennis High School in 1934 and in 1938 she graduated from North Texas State University with a degree in vocational home economics. After graduation she taught home economics at Crandall High School and at Gonzales High School. In Gonzales she met Cecil B. Ryan, the vocational agriculture teacher, and they married in 1941.

Helen and Cecil moved to College Station in 1946. Cecil earned a PHD and taught poultry science at Texas A&M for 34 years. For twenty-five years, Helen worked along with Cecil as the secretary treasurer of the International Poultry Science Association. They were long-time members of the A&M Methodist Church. Throughout the years the participated in many civic activities in College Station. Helen served two terms on the Board of Trustees at the College Station Medical Center. She was instrumental in establishing the existing chapel and served as a volunteer there until she was 92. Helen lived in College Station until 2012, when she moved to New Braunfels to live with her daughter.

She was preceded in death by Cecil in 1998 and her great granddaughter Rachael Ann Jost in 2010. Helen was the last of her siblings, being preceded in death by her two brothers and one sister. Helen is survived by her daughter Penny Jost and husband, Malford Jost of New Braunfels, TX, her son Richard Ryan and his wife, Glynis Edgar of Norman, OK, her grandson Michael Jost and his wife, Amy Jost, and their daughters Emily, Allison and Madeleine, and granddaughters Becky Garcia and her husband, Sony Garcia and daughter Caitlyn, Lindsey Ryan, and Paige Davis and husband Bob Davis and daughters Grace and Katie.

Helen touched many lives with her sense of humor, her smile and her hugs. She was a role model and mentor. She inspired to the end. Her sense of humor and keen interest in life will be missed by all.

A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 7, 2015 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station, followed by a burial in the College Station Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the College Station Medical Center Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, Still Creek Ranch or your favorite charity.