OVILLA, TEXAS — Born Helen Marian Thomy on Feb. 3, 1927, to Lawrence Thomy and Helen M. Cullen in St. Louis, Missouri, Helen Turner lived in St. Louis, Chicago and Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she was baptized and joined Park Congregational Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan, on profession of faith in 1939. That same year her father moved the family to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to pursue a fellowship at the University of Michigan.

Helen, who was amazingly talented artistically, was an honors graduate of Ann Arbor High School in 1944, and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor from 1944 to 1948, studying in the Art School of the College of Architecture & Design.

On Jan. 26, 1948, Helen married William Allison “Bill” Turner, a World War II combat veteran and graduate of the University of Michigan Forestry School. The couple moved to Franklin, Virginia, where they built a home surrounded by tall pine trees that she helped plant on Sycamore Road called “Pinetop.” Helen lived there until late 2007, when she moved first to Ovilla, Texas, and then to the Crescent Point Senior Living Center in Cedar Hill, Texas. Helen was a life member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

She was a member of Ovilla United Methodist Church, and is survived by two sons, James Lawrence Turner of Ovilla, and William Cullen Turner of Aurelia, Iowa; and her sister, Harriett Thomy Doyle of East Amherst, New York. One son, John Robinson Turner, passed away in 2008.

She has two daughters-in-law, the former Lois Joan Spearow and Rebecca Ruth Leach. She has two granddaughters: Elnora Rose Turner and Grace Anne Turner of Aurelia. She also has four step-grandchildren: Buddy, LaVonne, Steve and Tim Tobias; and 11 step-great grandchildren: Maria, Nicholas, James, Arianna, Tatiana, Alexander and Sophia Tobias, as well as Katee, Sara and Loey Parker and Michael Bourdon.

She adored children and always held a special fondness and affection for the little ones. She also felt a special kindness and love for the less fortunate and the impoverished. Helen, who was known as Mellie, Mama, Mom, Momsey, Nana and Grandma Helen, died on May 31, 2015. She was very much loved and will be missed by many.

The family did receive friends on Thursday, June 4, at Ovilla United Methodist Church, 1403 Red Oak Creek Road, Ovilla, from 10-11 a.m., after which time the funeral began. Interment will follow on a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Retired Lt. Col. USAF William Allison Turner, who preceded her in death in 1993.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the “664 Fund,” Ovilla Road Methodist Church, 1403 Red Oak Road, Ovilla, TX 75154.

In charge of arrangements is West/Hurtt Funeral Home, 217 S. Hampton Road, DeSoto, TX 75115; 972-223-6314; www.westhurtt@tx.rr.com.