Helen Bates Sherman

Our Heavenly Father finished preparing his mansion for Helen Bates Sherman on August 4, 2010 and called her home. She now rests in the arms of our Lord. Helen has joined her husband of twenty-six years Donald E. Sherman, her parents Eula Mae Aday Bates, Owen J. Bates and her brother Earl O. Bates in Heaven. Born in Marshall, Arkansas, January 29, 1919 she grew up in Arkansas and Oklahoma. She graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1937. Helen attended Oklahoma State University and graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She continued her education with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Christianity from Houston Baptist University as well as a Master of Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her love of music was reflected in her life. She played the flute, piccolo, piano, organ and ukulele. On the flute she was a master playing mainly sacred music for churches, but one of her most requested solos was the “Indian Love Call”. Helen would dress in a white Indian costume with a headband and feather in her hair. She would play for teas, luncheons parties, wedding and church affairs. Helen also played the flute with the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphonic Orchestra, Space City Bank, All Star Band of Rice University, and the Strummin’ Saints Ukulele Band. She gave private instructions for the piano and flute.

Helen was a member of the Tuesday Musical Club, Houston Flute Club, National Flute Assiciation, Daughters of the American Revolution, Lions Club, the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, Past Matron of Frank W. Lynn Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Phi Beta Professional Fraternity, Pi Alpha Alpha Chapter. Helen attended church at Baptist Temple for many years, Second Baptist Church, playing her flute in the orchestra until recently and Congregation Beth Messiah.

Helen and Don Sherman had three daughters. The first is Doris Magee, husband Butch, granddaughter Marie and husband Michael Melancon. The second daughter is Betty Kristofferesen, with three children Tracie Lyons, Donald Lyons, wife Brandy, and Shawn Lyons, wife Nikola, grandchildren are Tera Lyons, Travis Lyons, Taylor and Ethan Lyons, Austin Lyons, Michael Lyons, Oliver Lyons, Jeremy Lyons, Scarlett Lyons, and Lili Lyons. The third daughter is Donna Laney, husband Dickey and grandsons Cortney, Spencer, and wife Kari Laney.

Funeral services celebrating Helen’s life will be on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, with receiving time one hour prior. Interment will follow in Memorial Oaks Cemetery.