Helen Brandon Plunkett

A celebration of life for Helen Brandon Plunkett, 94, of Tyler, will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 2:30 PM at Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler with Rev. Gerry Giles officiating. Burial will be at Mason Cemetery in Arp under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Helen Brandon Plunkett made the joyful journey home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 30, 2015. She was born near Old London, Texas on May 7, 1921. Helen, or as her Daddy called her “Snooks”, was the third of four sisters born to William “Will” Brandon and Vertie Sloan Brandon. In 1927, the family moved to their new home in Overton, Texas. It sat atop the highest hill in town which would become known as Brandon Hill. The Brandon home was a place where friends, strangers and family were always welcome. It was here that Helen and her sisters learned from their parents the finer points of genuine Texas hospitality. Helen attended Overton schools and was active in sports and the Mustang Pep Squad. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Joe Bob Plunkett on June 21, 1940. They had a remarkable fun and loving marriage until Joe Bob’s death on Christmas Eve 2003. While living in Overton they had two sons, Bob Rondal and William Boyd “Hoppy” Plunkett. During the war years, the four sisters and Bob and Hoppy lived at Brandon house while the four husbands served in combat zones in four different branches of the service. They all came home and their civilian jobs began to scatter the family across Texas. In 1950, Helen and Joe Bob and their two sons moved to an “oil camp” near Greggton, then to Ft. Worth, Lubbock, Andrews and finally in 1967, Helen and Joe Bob returned to their beloved East Texas in Longview. In l968, they moved to Tyler to a wonderful neighborhood on Martin Lane. Being Methodist since shortly after their marriage, they joined Marvin United Methodist Church and the Chapel Sunday School Class. Throughout their married life they were active in every church home, with special involvement in youth programs, missions, and stewardship. They quietly supported many charities and children’s homes. They were especially involved and supportive of their sons’ school and other activities. Helen was a den mother, Joe Bob a scout leader. PTA, MYF, school, sports, hobbies, interests….they were always there to love and support their sons and their families. By the time they returned to East Texas they both enjoyed playing golf together and purchased property at Hide-A-Way-Lake where they enjoyed the club and golf course. By then, Helen had become an avid golfer and joined the East Texas Women’s Golf Association where she played in tournaments around East Texas. She scored a “hole-in-one” in tournament play. She loved bridge and entertaining friends. She had developed her hospitality skills to become a consummate hostess and hosted several bridge clubs in her home. Helen was a lover of nature. She loved flowers, dogwood trees, turtles, tree frogs, ladybugs, and birds. Especially Blue Birds and continually coaxed them to feed, bathe, and nest in her yard. After Joe Bob’s death in 2003, she continued to live in their home alone with the able assistance of good friend, caregiver and housekeeper Oristine Harmon until 2011 when she opened yet another chapter in her remarkable life. She and her younger sister, who still lived in Overton, sold their homes and moved to Meadowlake Senior Living Community to share an independent living Executive Home. This was the most challenging move either of them had ever made but Meadowlake welcomed them with open arms and wonderful neighbors. Helen got involved in many of the activities and became “block captain” for her street. Meadowlake indeed became her new and final home in this life; a beautiful, secure place with caring staff and friendly residents and neighbors. Above all, she loved her family. Better known as Mimi to her family, she was a bright light in the lives of those who knew her well. Her boundless energy and adventurous spirit is the basis for so many stories. She never seemed to rest and was always ready to get in the car and drive to see where the road would take her. Her favorite traveling companion was long time good friend Matilda Baker; they enjoyed getting “lost” many times on the back roads of East Texas. Her optimism and ability to find blessings in things and circumstances set an example for everyone she knew. She was fiercely protective of her family and an exceptionally devoted wife to Joe Bob. Her determination to take care of him in the last difficult years of his life set an example to all who witnessed the remarkable energy, strength and love she drew upon to keep up with the physical and emotional demands of his care. Helen is survived by her son, Bob and his wife Judy and her son William “Hoppy” Plunkett, her sister Joyce King, nephew Don King, all of Tyler, her niece Sue Walker and husband Buddy of Whitehouse, as well as five grandchildren, Joe Plunkett, Brandi Plunkett, Jaylon Plunkett and wife Rachel, Julie Plunkett, Jami Sibert and husband C. J. She also has six great-grandchildren, Brant, Johnathan, Jaxon, Gracie, Lanee and Parker. She is preceded in death by her husband Joe Bob Plunkett, father Will Brandon, mother Vertie Brandon, sisters Leta Mae Baskin, Christine Hackett and nephew Scott King. The family wishes to acknowledge with much gratitude friend and caregiver Oristine Harmon, Dr. Richard Anderson, her long time personal care physician, and Dr. Fagg Sanford, her long time cardiologist. The outstanding nursing care of Trinity Mother Frances Hospital and Heart Hospital. The loving care of medical, nursing and caregiver staff of The Hospice of East Texas. The home care of visiting Angels, especially Patricia Cox. The round the clock loving and tender care of the staff, nurses, personal care aides and med-aides of Meadowlake Health Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Marvin United Methodist Church/Missions Ministries, 300 W. Erwin St., Tyler, TX 75702, The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Tx 75701, or a charity of your choice.

Helen Brandon Plunkett

May 7, 1921 - December 30, 2015