Billie Ruth (Dupree) Helton
Billie Ruth “Ma Battie” (Dupree) Helton, 95, passed from this life to a far better one on December 5, 2023, at home in La Grange, Texas, with family at her side. Her journey thru this life started on January 29, 1928 in San Angelo, Texas, as the daughter of William Vernon Dupree and Sallie Maude McInnis Dupree.
When WWII began, the family lived near Alba, Texas. Billie often spoke of standing with classmates beside the highway to greet convoys of U.S. Troops and hand them “Address slips” in hopes of becoming a “pen pal”. The family relocated to hastily constructed “Liberator Village” in Ft. Worth where her father worked at a B-24 bomber factory.
After the war, the family moved back to San Angelo where she finished high school, then met and married Sydnie Worth Helton, Jr. of Muldoon, Texas on November 18, 1946. Shortly after, Syd was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps. While stationed in California, they adopted their only child, Sandra Kay Helton.
After Syd’s discharge from the Marines, the family moved to Andrews, Texas. While Syd worked in the West Texas oil fields, Billie worked for over 20 years at Blair Lumber Co. in Andrews. While in Andrews she became an accomplished genealogist - beginning back when it was done at the courthouse and library facilities – not on the internet! During this time, she honed her artistic skills as a painter and held numerous positions in the DAR. In the early 70’s, grandchildren entered her life and there after she was known as “MA BATTIE”.
Husband Syd passed in 2007 and “Ma Battie” moved to La Grange and lived with daughter Sandra Kay Gibson and her husband, Lynn Gibson. She continued her genealogy research and participated in DAR activities and volunteered as a docent at the Fayette County Courthouse.
She is survived by daughter, Sandra Kay Gibson and her husband, Lynn; two grandchildren: Jason Gibson and Sydna Hunter and husband , Phillip and five greatgrandchildren: William Gibson, Braden Kobersky, Brianna Kobersky, Ethan Hunter, and Chase Hunter.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brother, Vernon Curtis Dupree and grandchild, Jennifer Lynn Gibson.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, La Grange. Family received friends at this time. Graveside Services followed at 2:00 p.m. at Byler Cemetery in West Point.
The Family would like to thank Hospice Brazos Valley, especially: Tanisha, Amanda and Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley of La Grange, 1048 N. Jefferson St., La Grange, Texas 78945 or online at www.hospicevalley. org.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Koenig-Belvill Funeral Home & Cremations, La Grange, Texas. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals. com.
