Helen Ballew

Helen Ballew, age 81, of Gholson, passed away early Tuesday morning, October 23, 2012 at her residence. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Gholson, with Rev. Billy Mack Patteson officiating. Burial will follow at Gholson Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Helen was born November 21, 1930 in Waco, the daughter of Charlie F. and Mary (Hynek) Young. She attended Waco schools and was a 1948 graduate of Waco High School. On January 4, 1949 she was united in marriage to Randall C. Ballew Sr. in Waco. Helen was a homemaker and worked for 38 years for the Gholson Water Supply Company until she retired in 2009. In her spare time, Helen loved reading and gardening. Her front yard is filled with many hours of love poured into each individual plant. She was a faithful member of the Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Gholson, where she was an avid participant in the Harvest Festival. She was a member of the National Garden Club and a life member of the Parent/Teacher Association. Helen is preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Charlie Young; and a sister, Elizabeth Bond. Survivors include her beloved husband of 63 years, Randall C. Ballew Sr. of Gholson; five daughters, Laura Brisco and husband Butch and Glenna Walker and husband David, all of Gholson, Doris Jane "D.J." Beseda and husband Charles of Penelope, Dixie Werner and husband Tom of Crowley, and Clair Otto and husband Michael of West; a son, Randall C. Ballew Jr. and wife Annette of Abbott; a sister, Marie Dunlap of Elm Mott; 18 grandchildren, Chad, Jody, Luke, Kelley, and Cole Brisco, Andrew, Ben and Colin Walker, Teresa Langford, Aaron and Adam Beseda, Byron Werner, Natalie Fontenot, Rachel Ramsey, Reba Wise, Hanna Otto, and Alyssa and Mallory Ballew; 19 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Pallbearers are Colby Ballew, Joe Ballew, David Ballew, Bob Ballew, Bill Dunlap, and Bobby Young. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Providence Hospice or Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. The family would like to especially thank Providence Hospice for their care of our mom and family.