Helen Ruth Mock

Helen Mock, 1935-2023

Helen Ruth Mock (ne Etheredge), a beloved teacher, maker of quilts, mender of ripped clothes, host of Christmas gatherings, alto in her church choir, family storyteller, volunteer, traveler, caregiver, big sister, aunt, and mom, died June 24, 2023. She was 88.

The oldest of 8 children, Helen was born Feb. 8, 1935 in her grandparents’ house in Hobbs, Texas, to Jessie and Wilma Burkett (Tuff) Etheredge. As a big sister to her seven younger siblings, Helen helped to raise them, in turns yelling at and doting on them. Several recall a trip across the southwest she took them on when they were still in elementary school

Helen graduated from Hermleigh High School in 1953 and went on to Texas Tech University, where she majored in home economics and made many of the costumes for the theater department. After graduating in 1957, she taught for a few years in West Texas schools before starting work toward her master’s degree in early childhood education at Sul Ross State University, which she received in 1972. Her son, Carl Ray Mock, was born in 1969 while she was working toward that degree.

When Carl was two, Helen moved the family to Snyder and spent most of her 39-year teaching career there. She was kindergarten teacher to what felt like half the town, working at both Central and Northeast Elementary schools. Many of her students remember that she was willing to do anything to help them, often years after they had left her classroom. Helen mentored many younger teachers. She also met some of her best friends there, including Barbara, Cat, and Patsy.

Outside of school, Helen was an active member of Colonial Hill Baptist Church and a long-time alto in their choir, where she could keep an eye on Carl causing trouble in the pews. She was active in her Sunday School class and volunteered at the church, especially making arts and crafts projects for vacation bible school. In addition, Helen regularly volunteered with the American Cancer Society local chapter, driving people with cancer to appointments in Lubbock or other surrounding cities. Delta Kappa Gamma, the education sorority, was also lucky to get Helen’s volunteer efforts; she was a long-time member and one-time president of the local chapter.

Helen enjoyed all sorts of arts and crafts, but sewing was her main love. She created wedding and prom dresses, mended clothes for anyone who asked, made shirts and pants for family and friends. After her retirement she started quilting in earnest and especially enjoyed making anything in green, her favorite color. Before the program closed, Helen liked making jewelry in classes at Snyder Community College.

She also loved to travel and took trips to Israel and Ireland, as well as most US states, primarily with her friends and sisters. She was always on the lookout for a beautiful flower, an unusual bird, or a quilting store.

In Snyder, Helen lived with and took care of her mother, Jessie, for 15 years, until Jessie died in 2017 at age 105. She is also the person the whole family asked about history and connections;  no one will be able to recreate her encyclopedic knowledge.

Helen is greatly missed by her son, Carl Ray Mock; her brothers Dick (wife Sandra), Tom (RoseMarie), Dub (Paulette), and Ray (Gail) Etheredge; and her sisters Jeanie Daniel, Judy Carter, and Betty Widener (Lee). Her nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives are feeling her loss too.

A public memorial service will be held at 10:30am on July 8, 2023, at Colonial Hill, 3506 El Paso Ave. in Snyder. A private burial will be held in Roby, where Helen will be buried next to Jessie. Donations can be made in Helen’s name to the American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org/.