Helen Kathryn "Auntie" Strayhorn

Helen Kathryn "Auntie" Strayhorn, 94, of McRae, Arkansas, passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2011. She was a resident of Beebe Retirement Center. She was born February 5, 1917, in McRae, Arkansas, the daughter of the late Charles and Susie Liles Essig. She graduated from McRae High School and traveled with a ladies basketball team after graduating. Helen retired from Sweden Crème of Beebe after 26 years and was always known as "Auntie" by family and customers. She enjoyed the stories from her regular customers and loved the children. She was a member of McRae United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dewitt Strayhorn; son, Charles "Ricky" Strayhorn of Beebe; two brothers, Clarence Essig of McRae and Paul Liles of California; three sisters, Opal Liles Robinson, Alma Liles Mall and Edith Liles Parchman, all of California. Survivors include her granddaughter, Melissa Strayhorn and daughter-in-law Joan Strayhorn, both of Beebe; special niece whom she thought of as a daughter, Carolyn "Sue" (Don) Holt of McRae; and special nephew whom she thought of as a son, Clarence "Sonny" (Wanda) Essig, Jr. of Buckner, Missouri; special great-niece, Cyndi; great-nephews Jeff and Kevin, all of McRae; and many more nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 10 a.m., Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Weir Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to McRae United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 105, McRae, Ark. 72102. www.westbrookfuneralhome.com.