Helen Grace Eplen

Helen Grace Eplen, 96, a longtime resident of Abilene, passed away on Sunday, August 18, 2013 at a local hospital. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at First Baptist Church-Chapel. Dr. Phil Christopher will officiate. Burial will follow in the Cedar Hill Section of the Abilene Municipal Cemetery. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The daughter of Robbie Lee (Hubbard) and Van Wiley Williams, Helen was born on December 20, 1916 in Cowlington, Le Flore County, Oklahoma, and in October, 1928, moved to Abilene, Texas. Since October, 1928, she had been a member of First Baptist Church, Abilene, where she was a member of the Freedom Sunday School Class. Helen was a1933 graduate of Abilene High School and a 1936 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and a member of HSU Ex-Cowgirls organization. She was a sustaining member of The Junior League of Abilene, having joined the Junior Service League in 1953. Helen was also a member of Carousel Luncheon Club, Abilene Chamber of Commerce and Abilene Country Club. She was a resident of Wesley Court Methodist Retirement Community. Helen married James Mack Eplen on June 2, 1937 in Abilene. He preceded her in death in 1992. Helen was also preceded in death by her daughter, Judith Lynn Tyer; brothers, Gerald Williams and Van W. Williams; and sister, Margaret Hughes. Survivors include her son, Donald Mack Eplen of Houston; two grandsons, Eric Spencer and wife Arlene of Bend, Oregon, and Craig Spencer and wife Loris of Pacifica, CA and a great-grandchild, Noelle Spencer, as well as a nephew, Jerry Williams of St. Petersburg, Florida and two nieces, Susan Willoughby of Oklahoma City and Shirley Hughes of Anderson Island, WA. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Foundation of Abilene, P O Box 1001, Abilene, TX 79604-1001, or any charity of the donor’s desire.