Helen Maggard Wesson, a resident of Early, TX., passed away on May 20, 2011, at age 96. She was born in DeKalb, TX., on June 11, 1914, and was the only daughter of Gertrude Stewart and David S. Maggard. Her family soon moved to Midlothian, TX., where she graduated from Midlothian High School in 1930. Howard Clyde Wesson and Helen Maggard were married in Oklahoma City, OK., in 1936. Helen received her BA degree, from East Texas Baptist College in 1958 and taught in the school systems in Marshall, Dallas and Midlothian, TX. In 1974, Helen, Clyde and their son Sandy moved to Brownwood, TX., where Helen was employed by MHMR for twenty-two years. Helen’s organization memberships include The Association for Retarded Citizens, United Methodist Women and Altrusa Club; she was also a long-time member of Central United Methodist Church in Brownwood.
In addition to being a wife, mother, and employee of MHMR, Helen served in various capacities on numerous boards and was involved in many community activities. These include the The Salvation Army, Brownwood State School, American Heart Association, Special Olympics, Brownwood Jaycees, United Way, QAIS Human Rights Committee MHMR, Noah Project, Red Cross-FEMA, and Texas Youth Commission. Friday, June 10, 1983, was declared “Helen Wesson Day” in Brownwood by Mayor Truman Harlow. On that day she was honored with a party at Central Texas MHMR and was recognized as the longest-termed employee of CTMHMR.
In 1999, Helen was one of four individuals who received state-wide recognition by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation for her volunteer efforts. The nomination form for this award described Helen as “a mother with a mission”; it then listed her volunteer accomplishments and ended with the following statement-“her impact on our community is immeasurable. How many people do you know that still actively volunteer at the young age of 85 and have continuously given of their time for 24 years?”
As a resident of CARE Assisted Living, Helen continued her volunteer activities by visiting, in her words, “the old people in the nursing home”. Most recently, her wish was to feel better soon so the she could go and read to the people under hospice care.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Clyde Wesson, her son, Howard Clyde “Sandy” Wesson, Jr., and three of her brothers, D.S. Maggard, Jr., Howard S. Maggard and Tom Logan Maggard. She is survived by one daughter, Linda W. Laury, of Mason, TX., a sister-in-law, Eleanor Maggard of Lindale, TX., two nephews, one niece and many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, Central United Methodist Church, Brownwood, TX., and The Association of Retarded Citizens.
Interment will be in Midlothian Cemetery, Midlothian, TX.
