She was born on Tuesday July 31, 1917, in Pritchett, Texas to the late Oren and Emma Tabb. Helon graduated in 1935 from Naples High School in Naples, Texas. She then earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from East Texas Teacher’s College in Commerce, Texas; it was there she met her husband of 62 years, Claude Owens. She taught kindergarten and first grade for 17 years, first at Leverett’s Chapel while living in Kilgore, Texas, and then at Canyon Creek Elementary in Richardson, Texas. She taught until 1975 when Claude came home one day and said he was retiring. She said, “Not without me”!
After retiring, she and Claude moved from Richardson back to East Texas to Longview, where they lived an active life with their family and friends. They attended the First Baptist Church of Longview. They founded the Oil Patch RV Club and made countless memories traveling around the U.S. by RV together. In 2005, Helon moved to an independent living facility in Plano, Texas where she lived independently until her passing. She had a love for slot machines and scratch offs, and enjoyed many trips to Choctaw Casino whenever she could catch a ride. She loved to watch sports, especially the Dallas Mavericks and Dirk. Helon was a member of the crochet club at her independent living facility where they crocheted baby blankets for the children at Children’s Medical Center. More than anything, though, she was devoted to her loving family. She lived a full, rewarding life in the 100 years this earth was graced with her presence.
In addition to her parents, Helon was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Owens, and her sister, Dot Jones Freeman. She leaves behind her son and daughter-in-law, Mike & Beth Owens of Denison, Texas; daughter, Jane Ann Layton of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Nicholas & Ashley Owens of McKinney, Texas, Courtney & Chris Allison of Melissa, Texas; Sarah Owens of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Drew Layton of Denver, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Lane Owens, Levi Owens, Corbin Allison, and Kylee Allison; and many other nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 1:00 pm in Winfield Cemetery, I-30 Frontage Rd, Winfield, Texas, 75493. Please have all flowers delivered to Ted Dickey West Funeral Home, 7990 President George Bush Turnpike, Dallas, Texas 75252 prior to 9:30 am on Thursday.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 5429 LBJ Freeway, Suite 205, Dallas, Texas 75240. Those wishing to send condolences or sign the online guestbook may visit www.teddickeywestfuneral.com.
