Helen I. Witt

Helen I. Witt, of Lubbock, died on September 16 at Texas Heritage Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, of complications following a long hospital stay. She was 84. Helen was born October 30, 1929 on the family farm near New Home, Texas – the sixth child of Alfred and Iva White. Iva and most of the children moved to Lubbock after the ravages of the Great Depression in 1940. While her brothers all joined up to fight in World War II, Helen and her sisters began work early in their lives. Helen's first job was on the soda fountain at John Halsey’s Drug Store in 1941 at age 11. She met and married C. Dean Witt, of Lubbock on Nov. 1, 1947 and set up housekeeping in the little house her new husband built with the help of his father and brother, James. Their only child was born the next year. Helen and Dean lived the most of their married life in Lubbock, but also found time to have extended adventures in San Diego, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and Honolulu. This small family was one of the first members of Southcrest Baptist, then just a chapel, where they worshipped and helped to build that church until it was moved to new facilities. Helen then moved her letter to the First Baptist Church and began singing in the choir at that time. Her friends in Sunday school will tell you she was loyal, had a deeply abiding faith, and often gave of herself when she had little to give. Wherever she lived, Helen managed to make memorable friends of her neighbors and acquaintances. As an example, while living in Hawaii, Helen earned her high school diploma at the Aiea Community School for Adults in 1975. It should be noted that there was a raucous display of cheering by a small crowd of Helen’s supporters when the final exam results were reported. Survivors include her son, David Witt (Susan) of Uniontown, Ohio, her grandson Evan Witt, of Lubbock and her sister Peggy Weeks of Amarillo. The family suggests memorials to First Baptist Church, 2201 Broadway, Lubbock 79401. The family will receive friends and family from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19 at Sanders Funeral Home. Services for Helen will be on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. John Ballard officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Dean in City of Lubbock Cemetery under direction of Sanders Funeral Home.

Helen I. Witt

October 30, 1929 - September 16, 2014