Bonita Annabelle Helvey
Oct 11, 1920 - Jan 27, 2014
Submitted by: Ann Weber

Bonita Annabelle Helvey, age 93 of Purcell, passed away Monday, January 27, 2013, at the Purcell Municipal Hospital. Bonita was born October 11, 1920 near Rosedale, OK, 1 of 5 children and the only daughter born to George Barton and Lucy (Abney) Barton. She grew up a farm girl, and learned at an early age the the hard work that comes with living on a farm, milking cows, selling cream and picking cotton. Bonita attended Hopping School through the 8th grade and later Rosedale High School, graduating in 1939. After graduating, she began working at the Naval Station in Norman, before taking a job closer to home at Wingate’s Grocery in Wayne. Through the years, she worked in a variety of areas in the grocery business, working at Marvin Dunn’s Grocery, Chandler’s Grocery, back to Wingate’s, and later Curt’s IGA. Bonita married later in life. On October 29, 1955, she and Loyd Henry “Buck” Helvey Sr. were married in Pauls Valley, OK. They made their home in the Wayne area, later settling in Purcell in the early 1970s. Together they raised 3 children, sons, Cecil and Loyd Jr. and daughter, Paula Jo. For more than 20 years, Bonita and Buck owned and operated Buck’s Memorials, where they sold and set monuments. Bonita loved meeting and visiting with people. She later worked at both the Purcell Public Library and the McClain County Historical Museum before retiring in 1988. Bonita’s greatest joy however, was her family. She cherished her children grandchildren. But she was also a mother to many more children and grandchildren, that she claimed and cared for. She was very content just being with her family, and was known to many as simply “Granny”. She was a great woman of faith and a faithful member of the 7th & Monroe Church of Christ in Purcell. She will be greatly missed!

She was preceded in death by: Her husband, Loyd Helvey Sr.; Her son, Cecil Helvey; Her parents, George and Lucy Barton and 3 brothers, Mark, George and Owen Barton and An infant brother.

Bonita leaves behind: Her daughter, Jo Tarp and husband Bobby of Lexington; Her son, Loyd Helvey Jr. and wife Terri of Lexington; 4 Grandchildren, Barry Tarp and wife Lorren of Lubbock, TX; David Tarp of Purcell; Nathan Helvey and wife Lauren of San Diego, CA and Brian Helvey of Norman; 2 Great Grandchildren, Vannah Tarp and Osan Tarp; Many more kids and grandkids that she claimed for her own and A host of other family and friends.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 1, 2014, at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Purcell, Lexington or Wayne Public Schools Libraries. Please donate books or you can make monetary donations in her name.