Helen Annette Mitcham Ferrel

January 3, 1926 - May 13, 2020

Helen Annette Mitcham Ferrel, 94, currently of Tyler, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2020, at her home. She passed as she lived, with grace and faith in her Lord Jesus Christ. Twice widowed, she was preceded in death by husbands, James Ferrel, 1991, and Earl Moore, 2013. She is survived by her son, Greg Ferrel of Ruston, LA; son, Gary Ferrel and wife Tina of Waco, TX; and daughter and son-in-law, Jaime and Ken Warren of Tyler. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Helen was born in Bernice, LA, January 3, 1926, to Valiere and Arnold Mitcham. She attended elementary through high school in Summerfield, LA, and graduated from Louisiana Tech, in Ruston, LA, with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1947. Her teaching career began in Louisiana, extended to Texas and Missouri, and then ended back in Louisiana at Bethel Christian School in Ruston, LA. Helen will be remembered for her love of teaching and for her perfect pitch and ability to play any song on piano “by ear.” One of her greatest joys was helping children of all ages find the confidence needed to become successful in the classroom with reading, writing, and arithmetic. Through the years, if a piano was nearby, she would liven any gathering by singing and playing everything from hymns to pop tunes with her amazing ability to improvise as her fingers ran up and down the keyboard. Sadly, Alzheimer’s slowly silenced that gift. The family will be forever grateful for the kind, loving care provided by her caregivers, Pat, Shirley, Shun, and Peaches. The family is also grateful to Hospice of East Texas for four years of administering their compassionate services. A private graveside service will be held at Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, Summerfield, LA, led by Senior Associate Pastor, Ken Warren, of Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler, under the joint direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home in Tyler and Kilpatrick Funeral Home, Ruston, LA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.