Eyes that twinkle like starlight. A hug stronger than oak. A heart as beautiful and giving as a west Texas sunset.
These are a few of the countless gifts Helen Christine Yancy was eager to share, every day of her amazing 99 years on Earth. If Life were an apple, Helen did not nibble around the edges. She instead bit right in and smiled, and then offered you the rest of that apple. Helen wielded a precise knife as the first-ever female butcher for the Safeway Corporation. As a two-term member of the Barstow, TX school board, she led the drive to raise funds for a new school bus. And Helen was an entrepreneur par excellence, running a successful floral boutique on Dickinson for 20 full years.
But Family was what Helen Christine Yancy lived for, loved for, prayed for, saved for, and gave and gave for. She was the proud, adoring mother of two fantastic, beautiful daughters: Sandra Alley, and Kathy Hamner. Kathy left us far too soon at the tender age of 57. Kathy and Sandra were an endless source of pride, comfort and support for Helen, as was Helen's husband Jimmie Yancy, who preceded her in death in 1982.
If you'd like to talk about grandkids, Helen would happily oblige. She was always quick to brag on Laura Alley, Cynthia Alley, Todd Alley, Cynthia Hill, Ames Asbell, Brandon Hamner, Lane Hamner, and Kaci Hamner. Helen was a hero, inspiration and trusted tour guide throughout Mexico for her grandkids, was recently blessed with great grandchildren Kade Hamner and Vaughn Alley.
The world has lost the brightest of lights and the kindest of souls, but Heaven has gained a slyly competitive angel at the bridge table.
Memorial services will be held at East Hill Cemetery at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 20th.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home.