Savanna Helpenstell's Obituary
Savanna Owens Helpenstell, 101 years old, left this earthly life on August 31, 2014, in Corpus Christi, where she had resided for just over a year. She was preceded in death by her parents, Guyton and Maybell Owens, her brother Belton Owens, her sister Hassie Owens Dees, her husband Rev. William J. Helpenstell and her son William David Helpenstell. She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Sylvia Helpenstell; her grandchildren, Keith Helpenstell, Terri Helpenstell, Michael Dobson (Caroline), Mark Dobson (Misty); Stephanie Cronk (Caleb); and her great-grandchildren Alexa and Aiden Dobson, as well as many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Savanna was born in the Hopewell community in Nacogdoches County and attended school both there and Sulphur Springs. She married William J. Helpenstell on December 21, 1934 in Nacogdoches. Their life together almost always involved gardening, harvesting, preserving and sharing the fruits of their labor. After William was ordained in the Congregational Methodist Church in 1943, he and Savanna served 14 charges in the Texas Conference of the Methodist Church over a period of 34 years. Some of the churches they served were Laneville, Pine Hill, Deadwood, Harleton, Arp, Marquez, Jewett, New Diana and Centerville. Savanna was very active in the W.S.C.S., which later became United Methodist Women.
After her husband passed away in 1989, Savanna became very active in the Apache Tears Quilters, which met in the Laneville Methodist Church. She also put together detailed scrapbooks of family history and remained active in the Laneville Church for as long as she was able.
The family expresses gratitude to all of the relatives and members of the Laneville community who made it possible for Savanna to remain in her home for as long as she did.
Funeral services for Savanna Helpenstell, 101, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Laneville Cemetery, visitation will be before the service.
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