OBIT – Helen White

MISSION/GRAPEVINE – Helen White, 89, of Grapevine and formerly of Mission, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Grapevine.

Mrs. White was born Oct. 18, 1927, in Mobeetieshe to Aaron and Lilly Baird. Her family later moved to Raymondville, and, in high school, she met her future husband Kenneth White. They were married Sept. 3, 1949, and were married for 64 years until his death in June of 2014.

They moved to Mission in 1959, when he became principal of Mission High School and later the school district’s superintendent. He often praised her support for making it possible for him to serve Mission’s children for 27 years. “She is the wind beneath my wings,” Kenneth would say.

Giving a lifetime of everyday service to those in need, she was a member of First Baptist Church in Mission and active in the Mission Chapter of Eastern Star, where she served in many different roles.

In 2008, Helen and Kenneth moved to Heritage Village in McAllen. In 2013 they moved to the Grapevine.

Survivors include their daughters, Debra Fuller of Austin and Dee Mullinax of Colleyville; sister, Mary Christian; and four grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by five brothers and three sisters.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Ric Brown Family Funeral Home in Mission. Burial followed at Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery in McAllen.