Helen Doris Keeling
February 13, 1924 ~ March 27, 2020
Helen Doris Keeling, age 96, of Tucker, Texas, passed away peacefully on the 27th day of March 2020. Aunt Helen, as she was affectionately known, was born on the 13th day of February 1924, to Albert Sidney and Bertha Smith Giles.
Helen was a lifelong resident of Tucker and graduated from Woodhouse High School. She was a devoted Christian and longtime member of Long Lake Baptist Church. She worked in the business office of the old Palestine Hospital before becoming the office manager for Dr. Lee Roy Mathis, where she enjoyed working for 25 years. She loved being outside and working in her flower beds.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; the love of her life, W.V. "Bud" Keeling, whom she met in elementary school and was married to for 76 years; her brothers, William B. Giles and Lonnie Giles; and sisters, Bessie Lee Arrendell and Marie Baker.
She is survived by nieces, nephews and host of family and friends.
Due to current concerns surrounding the health of our community, friends and relativesare welcome topay yourlastrespects to Mrs. Keeling,between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm on Saturday, the 4th day of April 2020, at Rhone Funeral Home.
A private interment service for the family will be held at Land of Memory Cemetery, on Sunday, the 5th day of April 2020, with Don Stanaland officiating.
Those honored to serve as honorary pallbearers are Buddy Baker, Robert Franks, Wilbur Gilbreath, Mike Hudson, John Keeling and Justin Morris.
Funeral services for Helen Doris Keeling are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
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Helen was the sweetest person and always had that beautiful smile. Prayers for the family
Our sweet and very Dear Helen was the most beautiful person both inside and out.I was honored to work with her at Dr. Lee Roy Mathis office for 16 years. 16 Beautiful years!!
Bud was her sweet husband for years and she loved him so much and Bud loved her. I was honored to have taken care of Bud for years. He would tell tales of meeting Helen in school and pulling her pigtails! He would get a chuckle out of this as well as Helen!
I have so many memories of sweet Helen. She was a devout Christian that loved her husband more than life itself as well as her church family, immediate family, and friends.She was truly one that I can only inspire to be! I am still trying but will never fill her shoes!
She spoke of Mike and family, Margie and Wilbur,James and wife, sister, Bessie and husband, sister, Marie, Nita McKinney, Rheba and Johnie and grandchildren, Dr. Lee Roy and Dr. Lucy Mathis and Families, Miss Jean and Mr. Roy! She loved everyone of them completely.
You never heard a harsh word out of Helen! Bud may differ😉 but I know she loved.
Christmas was a favorite of Helen’s as she was teased by us affectionately at the office as she built a closet for her Christmas tree and would roll it out of the closet at Christmas while we were buying our trees and decorating them the “old fashioned wayâ€!
We always looked forward to Helen and Rheba’s Christmas parties as we would sit around and laugh the whole time!
Christmas and Spring were Helen’s favorite seasons! She loved her flowers!
I always said Helen could wear anything such as a “tow sack†she would make that the fashion of the day!😉
My wishes are for family and friends to know the True Christian of Helen is admiration and the ability to inspire others to grow as she did in Christ!
With Much Love, Compassion and Friendship,
Candy KENNON (Henry) Chilcote
Helen was such a gracious lady. Helen,  My Mom and Rheba Kluth were good friends and went on many a shopping trip together ! I always enjoyed knowing Mrs. Helen.Â
I love my Aunt Helen. She was the best. She could tell so many stories that would leave you laughing for days. I’ll miss you but will certainly see you again one day.Â
Aunt Helen is a special woman to me. She is the one of the sweetest people I’ve ever known in my life. I always enjoyed visiting with her & Uncle Bud whenever we visited. I remember when I was around 11yrs old, my father taking me to Uncle Bud & Aunt Helen’s house to go go hunting out on their property for the weekend. She made the best meals & I believe I was more interested in staying in the kitchen at her little bar talking with her than outside freezing. My mom Brenda Gill (Helen’s niece) ALWAYS talked about her and loved her very much. I didn’t get to see Uncle Bud & Aunt Helen as much as I would’ve liked to but, they will both be missed, loved & never forgotten in my heart as long as I’m here on earth. I will see them both again one day. She is now back with her true love along with other people she loved very much.