Barbara Gayle Helms

Barbara Gayle Helms was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She left this world on June 8, 2022 at the age of 81. Barbara married David Lee Helms shortly after graduating high school on November 29, 1959. Together, they had three children: Valerie, Michelle, and Mark. After the passing of David in November of 1990, Barbara married Arthur James Helms on July 11, 1992, gaining Gregory, Artina, and Andy as children. Art preceded Barbara in death last year on January 10, 2021.

Barbara was born on March 22, 1941 to Chester Emery and Cora Fern Quesenberry in Winnipeg, Missouri. She grew up in Dixon, MO and was the eldest of seven siblings. She attended Dixon High School where she graduated as valedictorian in 1959. After graduation, Barbara and Dave moved to Lamar, Colorado for Dave’s collegiate pursuits. They welcomed their first child, Valerie, in 1960 and later settled in Southern California, where Michelle and Mark were born.

Working in the education field ran in her family. Her father retired as the superintendent of schools in Dixon, MO. Barbara made a career working in the administrative end for public schools, where she was a purchasing agent for LA County School District and subsequently a purchasing manager for Azusa Unified School District. She retired from this career when she decided to relocate to Crocker, Missouri in order to marry Art. Although retired, she remained busy driving school buses for Art’s business, working for the local tax office, and being a member of the choir at First Baptist Church of Crocker.

As a young woman, Barbara enjoyed singing, sewing, reading, boating, waterskiing or even just floating on the lake while reading her book. She, Dave and the kids spent many family outings along the Colorado River. Later in life, she was most at peace sitting in the front room with Art, enjoying the sights and sounds of the local wildlife while they sipped their morning coffee. She especially enjoyed the birds and foxes, even naming a few of them. Counting the number of bird feeders they purchased over the years would be next to impossible! Being involved with her extended family and having their kids, grandkids and great-grandkids over filled her heart with joy. Most meaningful to Barbara was her relationship with Christ. She accepted Him as her Savior in her early years and grew even closer to Him as she aged.

Barbara is survived by her children and their spouses: Valerie Allevi of Mission Viejo, CA; Michelle and Michael Gaddie of Lake Forest, CA; Mark and Toni Helms of Liberty Lake, WA; Greg and Terri Helms of Hot Springs, AR; Artina and David Vincent of Pell City, AL; and Andy and Deatte Helms of Crocker, MO. She is also mourned by her six siblings and their spouses: Karen and Claude Massie of Pomme de Terre, MO; Roger Quesenberry of Kansas City, MO; Rhonda and Roger Langendoerfer of Washington, MO; Jim and Carrie Quesenberry of Springfield, MO; Chuck and Becky Quesenberry of Lake Lotawana, MO; and Jan and Robert Caskey of Ozark, MO. Over the years alongside both David and Art, Barbara grew to know, love, and inspire 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Barbara was preceded in death by her two husbands, David Helms and Art Helms; her parents, Chester and Fern Quesenberry; and her grandson, Zachary David Lee Helms.

Barbara was a very loving, kind, caring and generous person. She was always willing to lend a helpful hand whenever and wherever necessary. She loved celebrating birthdays and holidays with family, preparing her famous brisket for dinner, and biscuits and gravy for breakfast. Barbara was surrounded by loved ones at her home as she joined our Creator. She was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by those who love her.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 25 2022 at First Baptist Church in Crocker, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 11:00AM with services following at noon. Interment will follow directly afterwards at Antioch Cemetery, also in Crocker.

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