Helyn Thompson

Services for Helyn Crossland Thompson, 89, of Tyler, will be held on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Grace Community Church on Old Jacksonville Rd., with Pastor John Prestridge officiating with visitation beginning at 1:00 PM, prior to service. Burial will follow at Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home with Chip Crossland officiating. Ms. Thompson passed away Saturday, January 08, 2011, after living a healthy life. She was born July 20, 1921 in Stockton, KS to Cecil Dewey and Lena Grover Jenkins. Helyn was raised in Kansas where she was a leader while in high-school and who had a sparkle in everything she undertook. She went to college in Stockton in the area of fashion design. Helyn married James Howard Crossland and they moved to Tyler to begin their wonderful life. They had three children. She is survived by her loving family including her children, Nancy Crossland Kelly and husband Scott Kelly, Jimmie Crossland Finn and Chip Crossland; and granddaughter, Jennifer Kelly Tinnen. After moving to Tyler, Helyn became a charter member of the Evangelical Methodist Church, now known as Grace Community Church. She was a studious student of the Bible and a great woman of faith, and touched thousands of lives. Helyn was a member of “Parents without Partners” where she was voted “Parent of the Year”. In addition, she was also a volunteer for several years for the Tyler Rose Festival and a member of the Sharon Shrine Temple Clown Ladies Auxiliary for 35 years. Helyn too, was a retired associate for Howe Baker Engineers. She succeeded in everything she put her hands and mind toward. Helyn was preceded in death by Robert Henry Finn, Jr., grandson; parents, Cecil Jenkins, and Lena Jenkins and husband Ted Cooksey. Pallbearers will be Scott Kelly, Chad Claburn, Ray Dark, Howard Kelly, Andy Tinnen and Norm Quaas. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Gregory Stovall, Les Ratliff and Dr. Mike Daniels. If desired, memorials in honor of Helyn Crossland Thompson may be made to Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, 75701 or Grace Community Church, 3215 Old Jacksonville Rd., Tyler, 75701.

Helyn Thompson

July 20, 1921 - January 8, 2011