Helen Milam

Helen Marie Wise Milam, age 91 of Burleson, passed away September 6, 2023, in her home surrounded by her family. Helen Milam was born on September 30, 1931, in Cleburne, Texas to George Leonard Wise and Wilma Pearl Byrd Wise. She graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1949, where she was a member of the Purple Jackets, drill team and Journalism Club. Helen wrote a column in the Brackenridge HS newspaper and won a Texas State Championship in Writing. This strawberry blonde-haired, green-eyed beauty asked the Senior Class president, Ben Milam, to the Sadie Hawkins dance in 1948. The two became high school sweethearts. Ben married Helen on June 14, 1951. They were married over 68 years and were the loves of each other’s lives.

While her husband Ben served in the Air Force, Helen worked as a PBX operator in the Pentagon. The young couple had their first of three children in 1954, then moved to College Station. Helen helped support their family by babysitting and caring for their children while Ben studied to become an engineer. Ben and Helen lived in Fort Worth before retiring in Burleson, Texas in 1996.

Helen Milam was a member of Edge Park United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She was an avid reader, especially biographies. Helen loved music, art, and theater. She had a quick wit and could remember artists and their paintings. She also loved to travel. She traveled all over the globe from Graceland to Taiwan. San Antonio was one of her favorite spots, because that is where family lived.

Her family was very important to her. She adored her sisters, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her home is covered in photographs, cards, and hand drawn pictures which she treasured. She supported her family through thick and thin. Her door and heart were never closed. Everyone was welcome to her table. Her family already misses her sweet and kind spirit.

Helen Milam is survived by her children and their spouses, Debra and John Collyer, Glenn and Denise Milam, and Bonnie and Steve Metcalfe; her grandchildren and their spouses, Jennifer and Jeremy Stone, Larissa Wheeler, Kristen and Caleb Green, Kirk and Brittany Kelso, Benjamin and Michele Kelso, and Joshua and Madison Kelso; her sisters, Dorothy Wells and Pat Smiley; 16 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Thursday, September 14, 2023, 10am to 11am in Laurel Land Chapel of the Chimes. Service to follow at 11:00 am. Burial to follow service.