Helen Garrett, age 94 of Kinmundy, passed away at her home surrounded by her husband, Floyd of nearly 72 years, and her loving family on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Helen Louise Robb was born on September 12, 1928, in Kinmundy, to Thurman and Georgia (Spicer) Robb in Kinmundy. She attended Swift School (Breakneck) and graduated from Kinmundy Community High School with the class of 1946. After graduating, she worked for a time in Flora but returned to Kinmundy to help care for her parents and began working at the telephone office. This passion for helping others became a lifelong routine for Helen with meals, mending, trips to Doctor’s appointments, and countless other acts of kindness for others.
On September 20, 1951, after his return from the Korean War in the Army, she married Floyd Garrett in Mt. Vernon by the Justice of the Peace. From this union, they raised their three sons, Rex, Reed, and Ray on the Garrett Farm west of Kinmundy. She was a dedicated farmwife who worked tirelessly alongside Floyd as he farmed and pulled the midnight shift in the oilfields for Garden Drilling. They moved to town when Floyd began his employment as Postmaster with the United States Postal Service while Helen made their beautiful home a gathering place for neighborhood children with baseball, basketball, band practices, and eventually, a drop-off for the grandchildren.
Floyd and Helen were instrumental in establishing the Kinmundy Teen Center on Main Street, working with the Lions Club every Labor Day, establishing the ball diamonds, working the concession stand, as well as doing their share of chaperoning dances both at the teen center and KAHS.
Helen was a gifted artist and poured these talents into her trunks, paintings, and especially her quilts. Many in our families and friends have reaped the benefits of those talents with a Helen trunk or quilt. She was also employed by Dr. Aguilar and Dr. Rubio at the Kinmundy Medical Clinic for many years, continuing her passion for helping others. They enjoyed watching and cheering on their sons and grandchildren playing their sports, picnicking, swimming, and fishing at the pond they built at her parent’s old farm which she named “The Trails End.” Through the years they were active in many community events, particularly recounting the history of the Doolen Cabin at the Log Cabin Village every fall in their period costumes.
After Floyd retired, they spent many years traveling and visiting every state in the lower 48. She continued her quilting and art projects and often drew her designs either on fabric to quilt or wood for Floyd to cut out, and her to paint. Their passion for dancing to the big band era music led to their attending surrounding area dances two to three times a week. They loved to stay active and busy and were happiest when they could do these projects together, especially working at the farm, and helping others.
Left to mourn her passing are her husband, Floyd of nearly 72 years, sons, Rex (Karil) Garrett of Kinmundy, Reed (Cindy) Garrett of Kinmundy, and Ray (Regina) Garrett of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren, Robbie (John) Stuenkel of Carol Stream, Amy (Jake) McKinney, Shawn (Brittany) Garrett, Kyla (3er) Motch all of Kinmundy, Grant Garrett of Decatur, Olivia Garrett (fiancé Peter Joslyn) of Lexington, KY, Eli Garrett of Mt Vernon, Adriane (Matt) Voyles of Elizabethtown, Indiana, Rachel Heicher of Charleston, and Elecia (Gary) Cooper of Kinmundy. She also leaves 31 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Helen Garrett will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the Kinmundy Christian Church in Kinmundy with Josh Conley officiating. Burial will follow at the Doolen Cemetery. There will be a visitation at the church on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Doolen Cemetery and will be received at the Church or at Crouse Funeral Home which is assisting the family with arrangements.
