Helen Prewitt Elbert

Services for Helen Prewitt Elbert, 98, of Tyler, will be held on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 11:00 am at First Christian Church in Tyler, with Dr. Chris Pulliam officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Helen passed away peacefully on Friday, June 23, 2017. She was born July 21, 1918 in Roanoke, Texas, daughter of Lloyd and Ella Prewitt. On Sept. 4, 1941, she married the love of her life Henry R. Elbert, Jr. They were married almost 45 years. She devoted herself to her family, her church, and her career as a piano teacher. Her bright, positive outlook carried over into every aspect of her life. Helen’s musical ability was evident as a child. From the age of ten until she graduated from high school, she was the regular pianist for the First Christian Church in Henrietta, Texas, where she grew up. Graduating from North Texas State Teachers College with a degree in music and a concentration in piano, Helen was an accomplished performer and accompanist. She was very involved in music at Tyler’s First Christian Church. A 60-year member, she also served as an elder and a deacon. Chamber music performances in a trio with Betty Raisig on cello and Varina Johnson on violin were enjoyed by many in the community. During her career as an outstanding piano teacher in Tyler from 1960 until 2012, Helen was deeply devoted to her 250+ pupils. An active member of the Tyler Music Teachers Association, she held various positions and was nominated in 2006 as Teacher of the Year in the Texas Music Teachers Association. She was a member of Coterie for over 40 years. Throughout her almost 99 years of life, Helen Elbert never lost her zest for living and learning. She loved travel and games and sharing them all with those around her. Her radiant smile warmed the heart and spirit of everyone she knew. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Henry R. Elbert, Jr. and her beloved sisters, Kathleen Dean and Betty Dearen. She is survived by her loving family which includes one daughter, Caroline (Ken) Taylor: three sons, Roland (Jennifer) Elbert, Daniel (Janet) Elbert, and Donald (Beth) Elbert; grandchildren Trey (Christina) Taylor, Matt (Whitney) Taylor, Ashley (Miguel) Alaniz, Daniel Elbert, Jr., Scott Elbert, Emily Elbert, Chris Elbert, and Kendall Elbert; and six great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Trey Taylor, Matt Taylor, Daniel Elbert, Jr., Scott Elbert, Chris Elbert and Miguel Alaniz. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00-8:00 PM on Monday, June 26, 2017 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. Memorial gifts may be made to the Helen Elbert Scholarship Fund at the East Texas Music Teachers Association, 4621 Newcastle, Tyler, TX 75703.

Helen Prewitt Elbert

July 21, 1918 - June 23, 2017