It is with great sadness that our family announces that Mary Helen Maul has left us to sing in the choirs of heaven. She passed peacefully on June 18, 2025 at the age of 95 surrounded by family. Mary Helen was born November 15, 1929 in Bristow, Oklahoma to Wilson and Helen (née Coulter) Newberry, but spent most of her life in Fresno, California.
Mary Helen was predeceased by her husband, Raymond Maul, and her son, Steven Fikes, as well as her sisters Margie, Nancy Ann, and Janie. She is survived by her son, Stanley Fikes and daughter-in-law Anna, her daughter, Jean Renn and son-in-law Martin, and stepdaughters Suzanne and Kristina and forever cherished by her grandchildren Brian, Caitlin, Erin, Sophie, Kevin, David, and Mary, and her great grandchildren Harper and Alejandro.
Beginning her early life in Oklahoma Mary Helen developed a love of singing after joining the church choir and continued to sing for the rest of her life. Many of those years were spent singing in the choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fresno, California. When her grandchildren would stay with her as children she could be found singing them to sleep with requests for encores.
After moving to Fresno, Mary Helen earned her master's degree in education at California State University, Fresno and taught elementary school for over thirty years in the Clovis Unified School District. Her dedication to teaching was passed down to her daughter and three of her grandchildren who have all taught in some capacity.
Mary Helen was an elder of the Chickasaw Nation. Her father was born on Indian territory before Oklahoma received its statehood, and his name can be found on the Dawes Rolls. It is clear that passion for education is a family trait as her Grandpapa, the Honorable Joe Newberry, served on the Chickasaw school board and later as superintendent.
As a devout Lutheran she often reminded her grandchildren that “kindness would earn them jewels on their crown in heaven”. She enjoyed hosting bible study at her home for many years and giving back to the church and the community.
Besides her devotion to teaching and her love of singing one of the great joys of her life was traveling the world with her husband. She particularly loved visiting Europe and was excited by the opportunity to visit such places as Russia, China, and her favorite, Jerusalem. When not jet setting to foreign countries she would visit her sisters and their families in Louisiana and Florida.
Mary Helen will be missed dearly by her children, grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her love of entertaining and her vibrant spirit has left its mark on the numerous people she welcomed into her life, and the impact she had on her family will never fade.
Arrangements have been made with Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel. There will be a viewing at 12:30 pm on Tuesday July 1, 2025, and a service at 1:00 pm, followed by refreshments in the reception hall. Donations can be made in her honor to The Parkinson's Foundation, in memory of her husband’s long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
