Helen Marie Firmin

Helen Marie Roberts Firmin died Friday, September 20, 2019. She was born July 31, 1932 in Greenville, Texas, daughter of William and Helen Wilson Roberts. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, "Buddy", and her husband of 65 years, John "Jack" Firmin. After graduating from Texas A&M-ET, Helen taught elementary school for almost 40 years, most of those in kindergarten. She loved each and every one of her 100's of "babies" and kept in contact with many into adulthood. She nurtured, mentored, loved, disciplined, and expected the best from each and every student and the family rarely went anywhere without one of her students stopping Mrs. Firmin for a hug. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Texas Education Association, and a Dallas Independent School District Teacher of the Year. Helen found time to volunteer with her church, tutored with the literacy council and the Texas Prison System, and was her children's chauffeur and cheerleader for their many activities. After retiring from teaching, she expanded the family printing and office supply business to include teacher supplies and educational toys, as well as decorative accessories. Helen was a talented artist and perfectionist whether decorating a classroom bulletin board or one of the many homes she and Jack designed. Helen never met a stranger and was blessed with good friends. She was a member of Chapter BH PEO and loved her "sisters". She adored her grandchildren and felt her life complete when her great-grandchildren were born. Helen died 13 months after Jack on the day they would have begun their 67th year of marriage. Their joint memorial service will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 19th, 2:00 pm. A reception at the church will follow. She is survived by daughters, Denise Garner and her husband, Hershey, and Diane Firmin, of Fayetteville; son, John and wife, Cathy, of Celina, Texas; grandchildren, Wes Garner and wife, Katy, Adam Garner, Katy Firmin Hill and husband, Luke, Colin Firmin, Claire Firmin, and Caroline Firmin; great grandchildren, Jack and Emma Garner; sister, Anne McGuffey, and brothers, Charles Roberts and David Roberts, as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, honorariums may be made to the Arkansas Alzheimer's Association. To sign the online guest book please visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.