Helen Nelda White

Helen Nelda (Bethke) White passed away peacefully in her home Sunday, November 24, 2013. Preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Elsie Bethke, brothers Bill and Lee Bethke, sisters Nita Holle and Rena Hefelfinger, and beloved husband of 46 years, Woodliff “Woody” White. Survived by her daughter, Susan Marcontell and her husband Doug, her very special grandchildren Taylor Lobb, Parker Lobb, Danielle Marcontell, Ian Marcontell, and Milan Marcontell and great-grandson, Jayce Cortinez; nephews and their spouses Jerry and Kathy Bethke, Lee Roy and Sena Bethke, Billy Bethke and Sam Holle; nieces and their spouses Doris and Joe Erskine, Kathy and Glenn Haigood and Julie Krause; great nephews Jerry Jr, Glenn, Kevin, Rocket, David, Cody and Clifford; great nieces Rebecca, Jennifer, Lisa, Nancy and Cindy; and many other loving relatives and friends.

Helen was born on July 18, 1925 in Waco, Texas. A Pearland resident for 50 years, she was a charter member of Hope Lutheran Church, Friendswood and served on the Altar Guild for many years. She began her working career with Southwestern Bell in 1950 as a Traffic Operator and retired many years later as an Executive Secretary for AT&T.

Helen truly loved spending time and taking care of her grandchildren. She enjoyed watching them participate in their many activities, taking care of her garden, plants and flowers, cooking and eating good food and she was an avid fan of the Houston Astros and Houston Texans.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the care given by the staff of BrightStar Care and also Hallmark Hospice who allowed her last days to be in the comfort of her own home.

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at Forest Park East Funeral Home, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Hope Lutheran Church, 1804 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood, Texas with Rev. Ralph Hobratschk and Rev. Jonathan Petering officiating. Interment will follow at Southpark Cemetery in Pearland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, PO Box 1076, Friendswood, Texas 77549 or “The Anderson Network”, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Box 223, Houston, Texas 77033-4095.