Helen Gertrude Leftwich, 90 years old, of Stanton, Texas, passed away on June 13, 2021 at 12:12am. Visitation will be all day Friday, June 18, 2021, at Gilbreath Funeral Home in Stanton, Texas. Services will be at graveside in the chapel at Evergreen Cemetery also in Stanton, on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at 10:00am.
Helen was born on June 11, 1931, in San Angelo, Texas to Frank and Frances Whitley where they lived until shortly after her sister Laverne was born. The family then moved to Pecos, Texas where they resided for several years and where siblings Les “Buddy”, and twins, Ray and Kay were born. The family moved to Midland, Texas where Helen graduated from Midland High School in 1948. Helen then went on to attend college at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas where she graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
During her senior year in High School, Helen met her future husband, Lenard Olen Leftwich, and they were married shortly after Helen graduated. They both attended college at Hardin Simmons University and then Lenard went on to Seminary in Ft. Worth, after which they served as home missionaries in Indiana and Illinois.
Helen taught school in Effingham, Illinois, Bullhead City, Arizona, and Stanton, Texas spanning over 35 years.
She is survived by two siblings, Kay Rascoe and Ray Whitley, her two sons Mike Leftwich and Jim Hawklee, daughters-in-law Mary Leftwich, Martene Leftwich and Rene Franks, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lenard Leftwich, son Steve Leftwich, sister Laverne Whitley, and brother Les “Buddy” Whitley.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the care that Helen received while she resided at Ashton Medical Lodge and to Star Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Circle Six Ranch Baptist Camp, Inc., http://www.circle6camp.org/
Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.
