Helen Marie Garner

Helen Marie Coats Garner, 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 1, 2016, in Abilene, Texas. Helen was born July 4, 1925, in Blair, Texas near Merkel to Ralph and Dillie Coats. She moved to Abilene in 1931 and lived her most of her life there. In 1943 she graduated from Abilene High and then attended Draughn’s Business College and Western Union School in Springfield, MO. She married the love of her life, Clay Garner, in 1947. Helen had a varied and interesting career that included working at Western Union, Mrs. Baird’s Bakery, manager of the Frontier Stamp Store, Bowman Lumber Company, secretary to Senator Grant Jones, and finally a real estate agent for Ray Scott. After retiring, she and Clay enjoyed many years of traveling together. They traveled all over the US and Canada with their Airstream trailer club and also had a special trip to Germany, Austria, and Holland to visit family and friends. Helen loved God, family, friends, her church and life. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church and served there as Sunday School and Training Union teacher, choir member, PrayerWorks team member, and faithful member of the Senior Adult Department. Helen’s passions included sharing her faith, studying the Bible and praying for others. One of her favorite joys was giving gifts. She was always on the lookout for gifts to give her friends and family. Canning and cooking were favorite hobbies, and her specialties were preserves, relishes, and holiday meals. She also loved playing SkipBo with her grandchildren. In 1954 Helen organized the “54 Thursday Club.” This group of ladies became lifelong friends and met together regularly for many years. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clay, her sisters June McKinley and Hazel Baker, and her niece Jenny Harshaw. Helen is survived by her two children, Bill Garner and Gail (Garner) Raab and husband Charles; grandchildren, Nathan Raab, Kristen (Garner) Lieder and husband Chris, Joanna Raab Smith and husband Matthew, and Emily Garner; and three precious great grandchildren, Sienna, Maddox, and Charlotte. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 4th, 6-8pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Funeral services will be held at 4pm, Thursday, May 5th, at First Baptist Church Chapel, Abilene, with Palmer McCown and George Knight of First Baptist Church, officiating. She will be buried with her beloved husband, Clay, at the Dallas-Ft Worth National Cemetery, Dallas, TX, on Friday, May 6th at 10am. The family suggests that memorials be made to Meals on Wheels Plus, PO Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604, or the Senior Adult Ministry of First Baptist Church, PO Box 85, Abilene, TX 79604.