A Memorial Service for Helen Menius will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church, 607 Janeway, in Lufkin, Texas with Reverend Bryan Wiggins officiating. Helen was born on January 16, 1920 in Harnett County, North Carolina, the daughter of James Caleb Byrd and Linnie Ann Hobbs Byrd. She passed away Sunday, October 25, 2015 in a local nursing facility.
She attended schools in North Carolina, graduating from high school in 1937 as valedictorian of her class. She graduated from Meredith College in 1941 with a B. S. degree in Home Economics. During her college years she was active in many campus groups, elected president of her sophomore class, Vice-President of Student Government Council, business manager of the college magazine, member of the college choir, Little Theatre, and the tennis team. In 1940-41, she was listed in “Who’s Who among Colleges and Universities”. After graduating, she taught high school Home Economics. During World War II, she taught adults who were dealing with rationing of food and other resources.
On June 10, 1944, Helen married Lt. Leonard Menius, a pilot in the U. S. Air Force. When the war ended, Helen and Leonard moved to Savannah, Georgia, where they lived for seven years with their two sons. In 1954, the family moved to Beaumont, Texas. Helen was active in school, church and community programs in Beaumont. They moved to Lufkin, Texas in 1976, where Leonard was employed as Director of Industrial Relations for Temple-Inland Forest Products, Inc.
Throughout her life, Helen enjoyed being an active member of the Presbyterian Church. She served as Elder, Church School teacher of children and adults, Moderator of Presbyterian Women, circle leader, and a member of many committees, including Presbytery’s Christian Education Committee. In Lufkin, she worked with several church leaders to organize the Christian Information and Service Center to provide food, clothing and medicine to persons in need. She served on the board of C.I.S.C. as Chairman of the Food and Membership Committees for several years. She gave her time and resources to the Lufkin Salvation Army and the Medical Benevolence Foundation to help those in need.
Helen is survived by her husband, Leonard Menius of Lufkin, Texas; son, Robert and his wife, Linda, of Katy, Texas; and son, Joseph and his wife Amy of Plano, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made, if you desire, to Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services, P. O. Box 140888, Austin, TX 78714-9981 or to the Medical Benevolence Foundation, P. O. Box 96877, Washington, D. C. 20077-7922.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.
Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com
Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.
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