Born to Lancaster “Pete” & Louisa Rae Peeples. She was welcomed into the world by Brothers - David, Junior & Alvisa and Sister Mary Louise. She was followed later by brother Robert & sister Virginia Nell. She attended school in Jewitt and graduated from Rogers High School.
She met & married Frank Everett Smith in Rogers Texas in June of 1956 and into this union 1st came Sherry in 1962 then Dwight in 1968. They were married 44 years. Helen was a stay-at-home Mom for many years – and stayed busy with the garden, chickens, canning, quilting & embroidery. She started to work part time for Rogers ISD as a Lunchroom lady in 1978 & went full time in 1979 as Sherry was going off to college in 1980. She was still there when Jason stared school & everyone in his class always called her “grandma” as they came thru the lunch line. She remained at the school working as a lunch room lady until she retired at the age of 79 with 39 years of service.
Helen & Frank were proud grandparents to Jason – and had multiple “grandchildren” of their heart and could often be found hauling around a truck load of kids to and from school or to meet someone half-way to get them to 4-H events. They were the behind the scenes “support team” for the Rogers 4-H program when Sherry was a club manager & for Jason’s many fair projects and entries – often requiring multiple vehicles to get them there on entry day. Helen’s sewing skills were in high demand with she learned how to make pulls and covers for those lambs & goats – and it was often commented “they were best dressed goats in the barn wearing pinstripes”. She even passed on those Quilting skills to Jason.
Helen had a feed the world complex and no one ever came around that was not ask – have you eaten; would you like something to drink - what can I fix you. Multiple pans of brownies, cookies, cakes were made for all those hungry hollow legged boys who came around with Jason. She often joked that you needed to buy Macaroni & cheese by the case just to feed those boys and she loved each one of those kids. Considering many part of the family. Helen could always be counted on to help with baking, or making something to donate for events for the 4-H kids no matter if they were in Milam, Bell, or Hunt County - she had a huge giving heart and was always happy to contribute to help kids and her talents in quilting, crochet & cooking touched many lives in multiple counties. That was her real ministry – helping & serving others - she never wanted to be the star of the show, did not like the attention and was a bit of a hermit in ways – but she was a worker bee - give her a project and she was on it – often completing the quilt or Afghan long before it was needed for the event and asking ok… when is the next one. I need something to do. Sherry often joked she needed a 2nd and 3rd job just to keep Helen supplied with “projects” as she was so “laser” focused in those projects to complete them.
She was preceded in death by her Husband Frank in 2002, Parents Lancaster & Louisa, Brothers – David, Junior & Alvisa, Sisters Mary Louise & Virginia Nell.
She is survived by Daughter - Sherry Rene Tyroch of Rogers, Son - Dwight Everett Smith of Jarrell, Grandson - Jason Wayne Tyroch of Rogers; Brother - Robert Peeples of Temple, Sister in Laws: Margaret Bigham of South Carolina & Gladys Stendebach of Granbury and multiple nieces and nephews.
In Lieu of flowers - the family has requested memorials be made to:
Bell County Youth Fair Scholarship Fund;
Attn: Cheri O ’Braden
P. O. Box 1058
Belton, Texas 76513
Or to the Charity of Your Choice.
