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Known for her kindness and thoughtfulness, Helen Kathleen Horton Lyons of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, was greeted by a choir of angels and welcomed into Paradise on the 8th of July 2026.
Helen served as a Sunday School teacher, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a member of the Assistance League of San Antonio. She also volunteered as a Bluebird at Methodist Hospital and participated in more than a dozen Walk to Emmaus retreats as a member of the music team. Alongside her husband, Tom, of nearly 55 years, she co-chaired the Sanctuary Fund Drive for First United Methodist Church of Boerne. A gifted vocalist, Helen was a member of the Grace Notes Trio and was honored to sing in the Billy Graham Choir.
Tom and Helen were adventurous travelers. They visited all 50 states and more than 50 countries. While in London with their children, they met former British Prime Minister John Major, and in St. Petersburg, Russia, they polished the floors at Catherine's Palace. She and Tom cruised by icebergs in Iceland and Greenland and sailed around the Horne of South America. Helen prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, explored the Pyramids in Egypt, enjoyed cocktails and dinner on the Great Wall of China, kayaked over waterfalls in Norway, had breakfast in the bush of the Serengeti in Tanzania, and snorkeled over the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.
Helen was an avid tennis player and had the opportunity to play against tennis legends including Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Pam Shriver, and several other Hall of Famers. She was a proud member of the FORCG women’s tennis team, which advanced to the National Finals tournament. Helen’s determination extended well beyond the tennis court. In her 60s, she completed ten half marathons, crossing the finish line of her last race at age 70.
Her love of the game naturally evolved into officiating, where she earned the respect of players and coaches alike. Helen officiated collegiate matches for the SEC, Big 12, Ivy League, and WAC conferences, as well as TAPPS competition throughout Texas. Among her many officiating accomplishments, she considered it a special honor to serve as an official for the Texas 6A Boys State Championship match. She also had the privilege of calling lines for world-renowned champions Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters.
Helen graduated from St. Albans High School in St. Albans, West Virginia, in 1969, and attended Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia, where she met Tom. After they married in August 1971, Helen's first job was driving a forklift and operating a jack hammer at Corning Glass Works.
Above all else, Helen’s greatest blessing and deepest joy were her children, Joseph and Sarah, their spouses, Suzanne and John, and her beloved grandchildren, Presley, Madeline, Parker, Jacob, Emily, Ryan, and Emma. How lonely and empty life would have been without them in it.
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28