Helyn Douglas Pollard

Helyn Douglas Pollard, age 101, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, March 26, 2015 at Pine Crest Retirement Community in Lufkin, Texas. Helyn was born March 18, 1914 to Robert Alford and Mattie Lee Ganaway. She lived in Ellis County near Waxahachie, Texas where she was a member of First Baptist Church.

Helyn married Jabe (J.B.) Stricklin of Venus, Texas December 24, 1933. Eight years later they moved to the Sanitorium at Carlsbad, Texas near San Angelo for J.B. to recover from tuberculosis. In 1950 the couple moved to Lubbock, Texas where their 2 children were born. In 1960 they returned to San Angelo where J.B. would retire after a career with the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. He passed away in May 1976 after 43 years of marriage. During those years, Helyn delighted in playing the piano for the Kiwanis Club and other civic organizations. Summer vacations were shared with JB’s favorite cousin and Helyn’s sister and brother-in-law in Lake City, Colorado and Rockport, Texas.

Helyn later married Bryan Moore of San Angelo. They had almost 10 years together highlighted by their volunteering with the Texas Baptist Men, helping build and refurbish churches. Traveling in their motor home, they joined a host of other retirees, in many locations, including flying with the group to Hawaii one summer.

After Bryan’s death in July 1986, Helyn joined the Senior Church Choir, traveling with the choir to England one year. She cherished spending time with her grandchildren.

In 1993, Helyn moved to Lufkin, Texas to be near family. Quite surprisingly, she married again, in March 1994, to Bill Pollard. At ages 80 and 82, they enjoyed three wonderful years together, traveling and playing the piano and banjo. They were active in Keltys Methodist and Lufkin’s First Baptist Churches. Again widowed in 1997, Helyn volunteered with Love, Inc. and the Salvation Army Adult Day Care Center where she loved playing the piano and visiting with the folks.

Helyn suffered a stroke in May 2000 and in October she moved to PineCrest Retirement Community in Lufkin where she lived until her death in March 2015.

Helyn is preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Glenda Pettey, husband Ron, their children: Jennifer Smith and husband Josh; Kim Pettey; Doug Pettey and wife Vickie; and Kelli Thacker, all of Lufkin, and son Gary Stricklin and daughter, Araya Hope of Abilene; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Helyn was very grateful to all the PineCrest nurses and staff. She and her family are especially appreciative of Kandes Holbrook’s care and help in making Helyn’s 100th Birthday Celebration so very special.

Visitation will be held at Carroway Funeral Home, 2704 S. John Redditt Drive, Lufkin Monday, March 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, March 31 at 12:00 noon at Old Union Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service at 2:30 p.m. at PineCrest Retirement Community, 1302 Tom Temple Drive, Lufkin, in the chapel.

Memorials may be made to PineCrest Retirement Community, 1302 Tom Temple Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904, or the donor’s favorite charity.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.