Helen Argall

Helen May Blewett Argall, 102, of Candler, passed away on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.

Helen was born in Stockton, California on May 4, 1917. She married Homer Lloyd Argall in 1939 and resided in Merced, California where they owned Argall’s Ice Cream. They lived in various cities in California before moving to Crockett, Texas in 1976. Helen worked as R.S.V.P. Coordinator for Houston County (Crockett), then as a Nursing Home Activities Coordinator and Instructor, mainly teaching crafts and exercise. But Genealogy turned out to be her most passionate pursuit, which she undertook for the Library in Crockett.

Helen retired at age 80, when she moved with her daughter Dionne and son-in-law Gil Kempenich to Asheville, North Carolina. Helen had an agreement with them that she would attend synagogues, and they would attend churches until they each found their religious family and home. Helen fell in love with the Francis Asbury United Methodist Church (FAUMC) in Candler. When they moved to their forever home, Helen had the lower level apartment. She liked to tease that “my daughter and son-in-law put me in the basement!” We all settled in, Gil and Dionne at Congregation Beth HaTephila, and Helen at FAUMC. She loved her church family, and attended Bible study and services every Sunday.

Wednesdays were Helen and Gil’s “date days.” They shared lunch at church every week without fail; she had to feel very poorly to miss it.

Helen continued to drive until age 97. She was OK with giving it up then, as she would say, “I have two drivers!”

Helen also became quite active in the Order of the Eastern Star (OES) in Candler and was very proud that members would call on her to sub when one of them could not attend, as “she remembers all of it!” She had been a member of OES for over 60 years, first at Yosemite Gateway Chapter #126 in Merced, California, and then the Electa Chapter #228, in Candler.

Helen became a member of DAR in 1988, in Crockett, Texas. She also became active in the Edward Buncombe Chapter in Asheville, as Recording Secretary for many years.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Homer, in 1979, and is survived by her children: Walter H. Argall and wife Ella, Eugene H. Argall and wife Donna, and Dionne Argall Kempenich and husband Gil.

She was the grandmother of Michael Argall (deceased), Kris Argall and wife Shellie Barnette, Stacey Maddock and husband Ian, Jennifer O’Connor and husband Wayne, Michelle Kempenich, Brint Argall and wife Dayna, Glen Argall, and Alison Argall Naumenko.

She was the great grandmother of Sydney Argall, Nathan Argall, Daniel Argall, Bronwyn Maddock, Fintan Maddock, Blythe O’Connor, Fleur O’Connor, Yale O’Connor, Amelia Argall, Brenna Argall, Kelsi Argall, and Ava Argall Naumenko.

She was the great great grandmother of Emerson Argall, Joaquin Argall, and Jude Argall.

A private interment was held on May 12th in the FAUMC Cemetery, with Pastor Michael Kurtz officiating and the inclusion of the OES burial rite service.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, May 26th at Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, Candler. Pastor Michael Kurtz and Rabbi Batsheva Meiri will officiate.

Moore Funeral Home at Forest Lawn is assisting the family.