Helen Doss Hand, 96, left this life on earth Tuesday afternoon, March 19, 2019, to be with her Lord & Savior, whom she dearly loved. Helen was born in Nacogdoches County on September 9, 1922 to Burette and Lula Belle Collier Doss. She graduated from the SFA Demonstration High School in the spring of 1941 and married Barham Hand on June 14, 1941. They moved to Terrell, Texas during WWll, where Barham worked as an air traffic controller training RAF pilots. After the war they returned to Nacogdoches where she remained the rest of her life. Helen and Barham enjoyed 63 years together, until his death in November of 2004.
Her passion in life was nurturing her entire family, sharing and teaching each one the love of Christ. Having been a lifetime Baptist, and until she was no longer able, she was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church for 50 years. Prior to this she was a member of First Baptist Church for many years, volunteering her time to ministering to children.
Known by all as Granny, Helen loved to cook and was an extraordinary seamstress. Her family was blessed to be able to have a mother who was a full-time homemaker. She devoted her entire life to family, friends, community, and her church, always including Christ as her guide. She was a leader of Girl Scout and Brownie troops and was a member of the Anna Raguet Garden Club, earning many ribbons for her beautiful floral arrangements. Helen loved gardening and tending her flowers and had two large fields of bluebonnets that she enjoyed every spring. She loved all animals and had family pets since childhood.
Helen and Barham loved traveling, especially in their motorhome. They enjoyed their frequent trips to Colorado and Arkansas, but also traveled extensively all over the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. They felt blessed to have been able to travel on mission trips to Brazil in the early 1980’s with their friend, Bro. Carlos Gruber. Her children say “we grew up having lots of family time making wonderful memories”.
Helen is survived by her four children, Eliece Edge (JT) of Alvin, Keith Hand (Tricia) of Nacogdoches, Jeanne Harvey (Pete) of Nacogdoches, and Jan Creel (Randy) of Mt. Enterprise. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Bethan Hand, Melissa Watkins (Jerry), Kristin Tyler (Scott), Amber Wiseman (Kirby), Douglas Crawford (Katy), Clint Creel (Christen), Jody Creel (Stephanie), Austin Creel (Julie) and Tiffani Chandler (Wes) and 12 great-grandchildren: Blake Watkins, Ruby & Reed Wiseman, Claire & Chloe Crawford, Callen, Camryn & Corbyn Creel, Charlotte & Emily Creel, Reed Creel, Kipley Chandler, plus baby Creel due in October. Also, surviving are niece Kathleen Haselden, nephews Mike Doss and Evan Doss, several cousins, and lifetime best friend, Magalene Perritte.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her only brother Delbert Doss, her husband, and two daughters, Carolyn and infant Mary.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM Saturday, March 23, with funeral at 2 PM Sunday, March 24. Her cousin, Bro. Bob Whitehead, will officiate. The visitation and funeral service will be held at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors with burial at Sunset Memorial Park. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Helen very much enjoyed attending the Nacogdoches Treatment Center with wonderful activities for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to this awesome organization, Love INC, or charity of your choice.
The Hand family expresses sincere thanks to the staff of Meadowview Place for the compassionate and loving care given to our mother the last 5 ½ years. They would also like to thanks Heart to Heart Hospice for their tender care in her last days.
