Helen Marie (Redding) Emery

Helen Marie Emery passed from this earth on April 13, 2017. Her smile lit up our world. The youngest of 7 surviving children, she was born in Sweeny, TX on January 10, 1924, to the late Grover and Bertha Redding.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, by her beloved husband, Durward, whom she married on December 24, 1944, and by her son, Richard. She is survived by two daughters and a daughter-in-law: Glynda Emery Wilkins of Brevard, North Carolina; Carol Emery Coker of Huntsville, Texas; and Donna Emery of San Antonio, Texas. Grandchildren and their families include Sadie Emery of San Antonio, TX; Jeremy and Carrie Bowers and their daughter Emery of Portland, OR; Daniel and Keely Emery and their children Zoe, Finn, Molly and Charlotte of Bakersfield, CA. Because she was blessed to be a member of a large family, Mrs. Emery is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces.

Her early life was marked by the loss of her father when she was three, leaving her mother to care for a family with very few resources. But, her early life story is one of triumph over circumstances. Mrs. Emery said they didn’t have much financially, but they had a lot of love and relied on each other. The children all did what they could to help, doing small jobs to bring in money, which was scarce during the depression, and working in the garden to provide food for the family. Working together, they survived the depression and World War II.

Mrs. Emery lived in a number of places: Sweeny, TX; Port Arthur. TX; Marshall, TX; Kingsville, TX; Galveston, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; La Marque, TX; Palestine. TX; Rockdale, TX; Belleville, IL; Point Comfort, TX; Palacios, TX; Melbourne, Australia; Knobbs Springs, TX; Taylor, TX; and finally Livingston, TX.

Mrs. Emery graduated from Sweeny High School with honors and attended East Texas Baptist in Marshall, TX, and Texas A&I in Kingsville, TX. Her life was defined by faith and family. Mrs. Emery and her beloved husband, Durward led an amazing life and traveled widely. They were active in Baptist churches everywhere they lived; their final church home was the Knobbs Springs Baptist Church. Mrs. Emery loved music and sang in and directed church choir, and was frequently called on to sing at special events and worship services. She also loved playing hymns on her piano and it was typical to come to her door and hear her singing and playing. Other interests in her life included gardening, cooking, and painting. She was also a crack shot and played a mean game of dominos. Mrs. Emery introduced her Australian friends to pumpkin pie and carrot cake. Childhood friends remember that she used to whistle for her children instead of calling them to dinner.

A visitation will be Friday April 21, from 6 - 8 pm at Providence-Jones Family Funeral Home. A Celebration of Helen’s Life is scheduled 11:00 AM Saturday April 22, Knobbs Springs Baptist Church with Bro. David Atwood officiating.