Helen Hames

Helen Hames gained her heavenly wings on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Elmwood Funeral Home Family Center, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 12:30 PM at the Elmwood Funeral Chapel, followed by burial at the Abilene City Cemetery.

Helen was born in Atoka, Oklahoma on February 28, 1932, to Robert Ray and Artie Ward. Raised on a farm, Helen's formal education ended in the 4th grade, but through determination and perseverance, she taught herself to read, write, and do math.

In 1946, Helen married George Matthew LaFernier, and together they had five children. While George served in the military, two of their children, Deborah and Patricia, were born in Africa. Their other three children, Lora, Kathy, and George, were born at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. After the marriage ended in 1960, Helen married E.M. (Jack) Hames that same year, and they shared 53 years of marriage. The couple moved from Oklahoma to Hamlin, Texas, where they purchased a Steamatic franchise in 1967, eventually settling in Abilene, Texas.

In addition to raising five children and managing the household, Helen and Jack worked tirelessly, putting in 14 to 20 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, with Jack's Steamatic Carpet Cleaning business. Their work initially focused on cleaning carpets and furniture, but they later expanded into fire restoration, often traveling within a 150-mile radius. Despite her busy schedule, Helen found joy in gardening, listening to music, oil painting, and traveling. Throughout her life, she lived in various places besides Texas including Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Ethiopia, and Oslo, Norway.

Helen deeply cherished her five children: Lora (Lauria) Basket, Kathleen Hurst, Deborah Minear, Patricia LaFernier, and George LaFernier, as well as her two stepchildren, Joy Pope and Melvin Hames. She was a proud grandmother to nine grandchildren: Michelle Egglestone, Lonnie Worthington, Joanna Jenkins, Melissa Hurst and Carolyn, Kate Hopkins and Troy, Cristy Hewitt and Chad, Jason Hurst and Kristin, Bryan Basket, and Susan Allgood and Eual. Helen's family continued to grow, blessing her with 13 great-grandchildren: Harlee Gerke and Micheal, Haven White and James, Wyatt Beasley and Kylee, Jaylea Hurst, Lauren Beasley and Maximus, Dylan Worthington, Makayla Worthington, Halynn Hewitt, Easton Hewitt, Rylie Carmine, Tanner Hurst, Caden Hurst, and Nate Carmine. She also welcomed six great-great-grandchildren: Paislee Mendez, Trey Gerke, Orion Cordova, Rayleigh Beasley, Wade Beasley, Naakari Owens, and Mason Gerke, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, E.M. (Jack) Hames, who passed in 2013 at the age of 101. She is also preceded by her parents, Robert Ray and Artie Ward; her son, George Ray LaFernier; her stepdaughter, Joy Pope; her stepson, Melvin Hames; her brothers, Larry Ward, Kenneth Ward, and Junior Ward; and her sisters, Ruth Polen and Everlyn Armstrong.