Helen S. Hunt

Helen Hunt died in hospital on Friday, August 5th. Cremation is under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home. Memorial church services will be held at Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Pastor Steve Doles officiating, on Wednesday, August 10th, 2016, at 2pm. Mrs. Hunt is survived by her children Sanford B. Hunt, IV, and his wife Oanh of Lubbock; her daughter Leslie Hunt-Bond of Lubbock; her husband’s daughter Sandra Stanek and her husband Ronald of New Jersey; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Helen was born in the Parish of Orleans on September 5th, 1923, child of Carl Smith and Nola Durham. Her father, being a Pinkerton’s Detective, moved his family frequently throughout all of Texas, finally settling in Lubbock in the late 30’s. Helen graduated from Lubbock High in 1940 at the beginning of World War Two. She immediately went to work for Western Union and traveled throughout the South Plains staffing the all-important telegraph offices. Finally wanting to do more for the war effort, Helen enlisted in the Marine Corps in September of 1943 and continued her telegraphic and cryptographic work on the East Coast in Quantico, Virginia. She met and married Captain Sanford B. Hunt in April of 1945 and began her 58-year journey around the world with him. While in the military they lived in England, the East Coast and the West Coast. As all military wives know, making a family and a home is difficult but Helen centered her life on her husband, her children, faith and charity work. Following Colonel Hunt’s retirement in 1969, the family settled in California, where Helen earned a Bachelor’s degree and then her masters in personnel management and public administration. In the 1980’s they hit the road again and traveled for close to 20 years around the United States and Canada in their motorhome. They revisited old friends from the military and made new friends everywhere they went, finally settling back in Helen’s home of Lubbock, Texas. By then, Helen’s five uncles and one aunt had settled from Carlsbad, New Mexico to Lubbock, Texas. Helen was an influence in the lives of many people she met throughout her life. Sharing her experiences and memories helping others to row and make decisions in their own lives. She was the one who kept the journal and the address book of family members and friends, keeping everyone connected. She was a woman of strong opinions and a generous heart much loved by her family and friends.

Helen S. Hunt

September 5, 1923 - August 5, 2016