Helena Mokray Reed, 84, of Amarillo passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 8, 2021, after an illness. Private burial will be in the Reed Cemetery at a future date. Arrangements are entrusted to Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, Amarillo, Texas. A casual gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 PM Sunday, July 18, 2021 at The Rocking OT, 3100 6th Ave. Amarillo, TX 79106. The celebration of Helena’s life will be a joyous time of fellowship and refreshment.
Helena was born on July 20, 1936 in Wallington, New Jersey; she was the daughter of the late John and Emma (Laszig) Mokray. She was the youngest of seven children. Helena attended East Rutherford High School, Montclair State Teachers College and Columbia University. Inspired by President Kennedy, she served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic before coming to Texas. She married Kenneth Leo Reed in 1967 in Flomot, Texas. Helena worked as a social worker in New Jersey and Texas, also with the Extension service in Motley County, Texas. Mrs. Reed dearly loved her students and cherished a lifetime of teaching Home Economics, Independent Living Skills, and Commercial Foods. She taught in New Jersey and in various AISD schools in Amarillo, retiring from Palo Duro High School.
Helena belonged to the Girl Scouts, 4H, Luther League, Turn Verein Athletic Club, Sigma Eta Sigma, Home Economics Assoc., Fondo Quisqueno, Friends of the Dominican Republic, Palo Duro Partners & Texas Master Naturalists. She enjoyed all sorts of sewing, crafts and cooking. Her family, both here and back east, were very important to her.
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Leo Reed of Amarillo; daughter, Vera Reed Little of Austin, Texas; daughter, Lisa Lanier and husband Alan of Amarillo; a son, Paul Reed and wife Kristina of Bushland; a granddaughter: Gina Reed Denney and spouse Kalin of Boca Raton, Florida; siblings Genny Hazelton and Fred Mokray; and a large extended family who loved her dearly.
Helena was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Bertha Wickle, Ruth France, Dottie Kerber Zimmer, and Shirley Holleran.
The family extends their gratitude to the staff of BSA hospital and the healthcare team that provided compassionate care to Helena.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made in Helena’s memory to a charity that has touched your life.
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