Helen Pittman Duren

Funeral services for Helen Pittman Duren, 92, of Huntington will be held Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel in Huntington with Thomas Riley officiating. Interment will follow in Jonesville Cemetery. The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon prior to the services.

Helen Pittman Duren was born November 3, 1931 in Huntington, Texas to the late Loney Dell (Hamilton) and Willie Pittman, and passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024 in a local nursing home. Helen was a loving, caring, talented and industrious homemaker. She was an 80 plus years member of Huntington Church of Christ.

Helen grew up in Huntington and was Salutatorian of the Huntington High School Class of 1949. She and her late husband, Clayton Duren, worked hard and consistently to achieve the American dream. She was known for her delicious cooking including her peanut brittle and homemade biscuits. She cooked most of the meals her family ate, with vegetables from the gardens that she and Clayton grew. She cooked cakes for school bake sales and cookies for classroom parties. She was an avid seamstress, sewing all the clothes she and the four daughters wore.

She enjoyed playing 42 and 84 with her many friends, cooking, working crossword puzzles, watching movies, especially The Sound of Music, and most of all being with her family. She was happiest when all four girls and their families were at her house for a meal.

Helen loved the Lord and spent her life helping others. She spent many nights “sitting” with an ill family friend or church member. She took many to doctors’ appointments, hosted house warmings, baby and wedding showers, and prepared many meals for family, friends, and church members.

Survivors include her daughters, Lynette Duren, Jynette Duren Jones and husband Robert, Julie Duren, and Tina Duren Randolph and husband Ray; grandchildren, Michael Jones and wife Trina, Shana Hancock and husband Paul, and Todd Hutson and wife Jaclyn; great-grandchildren, Kelsey Goodwin and husband Bryar, Sarah Cruz and husband Nick, and Natalie Hutson; great-great-grandson, Colson Cruz; step-grandchildren, Douglas Randolph, and Jon Randolph and wife Elizabeth; step-great-grandchildren, Aaron, Kayla, Hayleigh, and Remi Randolph, Tanner Wilburn, Charlotte Randolph, Lauren, Devan, Ryan, and William Newton; sisters, Linda Stokes and Pamela Buschman and husband Tommy; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Clayton Duren; parents, Loney Dell and Willie Pittman; sisters, Mildred Ivy and Mary Brown; son-in-law, Tim L. Smith; nephew, George Ivy; and a host of friends.

Pallbearers will be Todd Hutson, Michael Jones, Paul Hancock, Steve Spilman, Louie Short, and Daryl Duren.

Honorary pallbearer will be Dale Duren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Huntington Healthcare for their loving care during Mrs. Duren’s stay.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McMullen Memorial Library, 900 E. Main Street, Huntington, Texas 75949.

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

Carroway Funeral Home, Huntington, directors.