Helen Lee Kate Rhodes

Helen Lee Kate (Wawarosky) Rhodes, who previously lived in the New Hope community of Limestone County (near Jewett) went home peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior “Jesus Christ” on Sunday, April 6, 2014.   Helen was 93. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at Little Flock Baptist Church.   Revered Tad Traylor will officiate and music will be provided by Aloma Kennedy, pianist, and vocalists will be Jimmy Wawarosky and D’Andra Traylor. Pallbearers will be Ted Adcock, Barry Gene Clepper, Michael Clepper, Dwayne Wawarosky, Karl Wawarosky, Reese Wawarosky, and Jimmy Wawarosky.  Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Sherrill, Ronald Crane, Randal Crane, and Tommy Crane. Helen was born on October 24, 1920 to John Wawarosky and Katie Trader Wawarosky in rural Austin County.   The family moved to Houston when she was young, and she began working there as a young adult.   Helen married Wilburn “Pete” Rhodes on January 25, 1947.   She started working as a machinist during World War II at Hughes Tool Company, and some years later she met Pete, who was their timekeeper after he had served in the war.  She retired as a tool supervisor in 1978, after working for 36 years at Hughes Tool Company.   During their years living in League City,  Helen and Pete came every weekend and every vacation to work on their ranch at New Hope, where Pete had grown up.  When they retired, they moved to the New Hope area permanently.   Helen enjoyed gardening and helping Pete with some of the ranching duties.  They enjoyed their church, Little Flock Baptist Church, where they were active members for many years, until they both were plagued with health issues.   Not long after Pete passed away in 2008, Helen suffered a severe fall, and thereafter made her new home at Groesbeck LTC.  Helen truly felt Groesbeck LTC was her home for the past six years and enjoyed many activities there.  Helen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Katie; her husband, Pete Rhodes; her  brothers and sisters (and their spouses):  Lawrence and Ida Wawarosky, Jimmy and Adice Clepper, Bob and Beverly Wawarosky, Julie Mae Carroll and Tommy Carroll, Don Adcock; and nephews, Dalton Sherrill, Tommy Adcock and Rodney Willis.     Helen is survived by her sister, Sophie Adcock; sister-in-law, Dorris Willis; numerous nephews,nieces and great nephews and nieces; and special friends, Patsy and Rick Atchison. The family would like to thank all the staff at Groesbeck LTC who have been very understanding in caring for all her needs for the last six years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her memory to the Activity Fund at Groesbeck LTC, 607 Parkside Dr., Groesbeck, TX  76642.