Helen Little, 97, passed away peacefully on Friday, the 30th of April 2021. Helen was born on the 5th of March 1924, in Erath County, Texas, to Robert Nichols and Maude Irene (Walker) McKeage. She was preceded in death by her parents; five sisters and one brother; and Jack W. Little, her childhood sweetheart, best friend, and husband of 66 years. She is survived by two sons (Randy D. Little and wife, Kay, and Tracy L. Little and wife, Susan); five granddaughters (Alysia Transou and husband, Chip; Kingslea Little; Stephanie Dailey and husband, Patrick; Teresa Queal; and Jessica Perry and husband, Ben); eleven great-grandchildren (Katie, Mackenzie and Jack Transou; Johnny Holland; Dean and Cade Dailey; Cameron, Jordan and Austin Queal; and Wills and Luke Perry); and a host of loved ones and dear friends.
Upon his return home from World War II, Jack and Helen married on the 25th of August 1945. While Jack took advantage of the GI Bill and attended Princeton University, TCU and Tulane University, Helen worked at the US Soil Conservation (Ft. Worth), the US Naval Air Station (New Orleans) and the War Assets Administration (New Orleans).
In the late 1940’s, Jack and Helen began their lifelong, exciting journey through the oilfields of Texas. In 1966, they “went out on their own” and formed, the aptly named, H-M Oil Company, an independent exploration and production company. In the early years, Helen served as the administrative head of H-M, taking care of all the paper work, filings and accounting, while Jack searched for oil.
Even as she was raising her two sons and offering invaluable assistance to H-M Oil, Helen embarked on decades of community service, generosity and volunteerism. In 1961, she began volunteering at Sam Houston Memorial Hospital and in 1970 she received that hospital’s “Volunteer of the Year Award.” After Sam Houston’s closure, Helen volunteered at Spring Branch Medical Center and, in 2006, she was honored with The Frist Humanitarian Award “for outstanding commitment to the humanitarian values that are the foundation of Spring Branch Medical Center . . . [t]his award recognizes individuals whose daily dedication and care giving epitomize the highest standards of quality and personal commitment.”
Helen was always active in her community, serving as President of the Memorial Newcomers Club, the Sam Houston Auxiliary and Braeburn Country Club’s Ladies Association and was a long-time member of the Memorial Women’s Club, the Houston Society of Petroleum Engineer’s Auxiliary and the Delphian Society. She was an avid bridge player, especially enjoying games at Braeburn Country Club and the Buckingham, and was a long-time member of Memorial Church of Christ.
For all her accomplishments and service, Helen will be most remembered for the love, generosity and kindness afforded to all those who crossed her life. As matriarch of her family, Helen passed along those attributes to one-and-all, overseeing her progeny with exuberant love, unbridled generosity and unequalled kindness. Helen’s “life well-lived” will always be a guiding light for those left behind.
The family greatly appreciates the wonderful care provided by Elise Green and the staff at The Buckingham and The Plaza.
A memorial service is to be conducted at half-past two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 6th of May in the chapel of Memorial Church of Christ, where Jack and Helen were faithful members for over 50 years, located at 900 Echo Lane in Houston.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, kindly consider a donation in Helen’s memory to the healthcare charity of one’s choice.
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