Helen M. Wilson

Helen Marie Wilson, age 76, of Lamar, Missouri entered the gates of Heaven on May 9, 2022.   Helen was born November 27, 1945 in Lamar, Missouri to Preston Herman Beavers and Eunice Velma (Wilkins) Beavers. Helen graduated from Lamar High School in the class of 1963. On May 23, 1963, Helen married Lonnie Gene Wilson in Newport, Missouri.   As a child, Helen grew up in rural Barton County or "the sticks" as she called it. She, along with her two sisters spent countless hours playing in the timber, picking berries and flowers, playing house, making mud pies and taking turns sitting on "Queens Throne". It was there Helen learned the value of family. Family was everything to her and she showed her love for her family her entire life. She loved everything outdoors - she was an avid gardener, enjoyed planting flowers and watching them grow, and loved birds, especially hummingbirds. Helen did not know a stranger and it was common for her to reach out to anyone she thought might need someone to talk to.   Helen worked as a seamstress at Big Smith, in the packing department at O'Sullivan's and finished her career as a custodian at East Primary School where she was lovingly known as "Miss Helen". Helen was a member of the Lamar United Methodist Church and really loved her Sunday School class.   Survivors include one son, Todd Wilson; three daughters, Lonna Jackson, Dawna (Troy) Holzbach and Mendy Paynter, all of Lamar; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, with one on the way; two sisters, Linda Talbott and Judy Gastel, both of Lamar; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.   Helen was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one son, Kevin Wilson; two grandsons, Ryan VanGilder and Bradley VanGilder; and one great-grandson, Iverson Wilson.   Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow in St. James Cemetery.   The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, May 13, 2022 at the funeral home.   Contributions are suggested and made payable to St. James Cemetery or the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.   Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com