Helen Jean Floyd, 86, of Ventura, California, passed away Friday, March 7, 2014, after a lengthy illness. Helen was born August 23, 1927, on the Nuyaka (Creek Indian) Mission property in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, to the late Lindsey Ivan Davis and the late Zelma Drucilla (Cook) Davis.
Helen and husband, Paul Hamilton, moved from Oklahoma to Pacific Grove, CA where first son, Paul (Johnny), was born. Not quite sure about California, they returned to Oklahoma City, where second son, Jerry, was born. Deciding to give California one more try, third son, Bill, was born in Los Banos, California. A job – and cool ocean breezes - beckoned in Ventura, so once more Helen’s growing family relocated. Daughter Nancy was the only one of Helen’s children to be born in the city where Helen would spend her remaining years. She did visit her parents, who were living in Dos Palos, CA in 1954 and it was in Fresno, CA that she gave birth to her fifth child and fourth son, Richard (Rick). At the age of 28, Helen was widowed. She married Max (Mike, Red) Floyd, and they spent the next 35 years raising kids, along with an odd assortment of dogs, cats and a variety of birds, in the big, white, 2-story house on Poli Street. In 1991, Helen was again widowed.
She did not let the asthma that plagued her all her life interfere with enjoying life. Once her children were in school full-time, Helen began a 25 year career as the cashier in the lunchrooms in local elementary schools. Volunteering was important to Helen, and the Red Cross was one organization to benefit. As a Grey Lady, she assisted school nurses in administering eye and hearing tests to students. She chaired the Volun-teen program – training teens to assist in convalescent hospitals. She provided transportation to and from medical appointments for those in need, and she was called out to staff the field kitchen during local disasters. With five children, she couldn’t help but be active in their education, so Helen joined the PTA. She coordinated the Clothes Closet which provided new and used clothing to eligible VUSD children. She was a leader in Campfire Girls and helped out with her sons’ Boy Scout troops.
In 1959, Helen began attending Trinity Lutheran Church, officially joining in 1965. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was a leader of the LOVE Circle, assisted on the bereavement and library committee, as well as Young at Heart. She was trained as a Stephen Minister. She took personal pride in her responsibilities as a member of the Altar Guild. For 30 years, Helen carefully hand embroidered a tiny clam shell on the baptismal handkerchiefs given to each child at their baptism. It was truly a labor of love and she felt a special connection to those children.
Helen had a love of reading, cooking, and crafts – with a special affection for fabrics and sewing. She enjoyed the many trips and cruises sponsored by the Young at Heart senior group at the church – and became the self-appointed photographer.
She was preceded in death by husband, Paul J. Hamilton; second husband, Max Floyd; brother, Lindsey Ivan Davis, Jr.; sons, Paul John Hamilton and Richard Alan Hamilton; daughter-in-law, Karla Hamilton; son-in-law, Paul Bocovich; and grandson Chad Allan Hamilton.
Helen is survived by sons Jerry Hamilton and wife, Colleen, of Sioux City, Iowa; Bill Hamilton and wife, Karen Nelson, of Casitas Springs, CA; daughter, Nancy Hamilton Bocovich of Ventura, CA; granddaughters, Karen Elizabeth Hamilton and husband, Mark Neamtu of Long Beach, CA and Denise Renée Hamilton and husband, Mike Goth of Camarillo, CA; grandsons Clinton John Hamilton, California, and Loren Paul Hamilton of Casitas Springs, CA.
The family would like to thank Buena Vista Hospice and California Care Center for their guidance, kindness and compassion.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 196 N. Ashwood Ave, Ventura, CA on Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at 12:30 P.M. with Pastor Dave Hall officiating. A reception will follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, Attention: John Crowley, 196 N. Ashwood, Ventura, CA 93003
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.
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