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Helen Ada Drake Talbert, “Grandma”, age 98 passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2022. Helen was born in Colbert, Oklahoma but spent most of her life in Durant, Oklahoma. Her parents were Josephine and Irving Drake. Her father was a horse and buggy doctor in and around Durant and her mother stayed at home, keeping house, and caring for their seven children.
She graduated Durant High School and soon met, fell in love, and married her husband, Bill. He had been stationed on a destroyer during WWII while serving in the US NAVY. He was severely injured during a storm at sea in the North Atlantic Theater. He was sent for the remainder of his service to Eaker Field in Durant to recuperate from his injuries. In 1948, they acquired a VA housing loan and built their home at 1810 West Cedar Street where they remained throughout their lives. Their house payment was forty-six dollars per month which they dutifully paid for twenty years. They raised three children in their beloved home which remains in the family to this day. Many, many happy memories were made under that wonderful roof.
Helen had a very long, full, and wonderful life. She was adored by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was loved not only by her own family, but Bill’s family as well. Her beauty and charisma naturally drew people to her, and she maintained a great many close friendships throughout her lifetime. She worked at J. C. Penney Company for many years where she also had many special friends. She loved her own children as well as her children’s friends. She took special interest in those friends who were disadvantaged or downtrodden. She showed great love and compassion to those special friends.
The running story among the kids, grandkids and great grandkids has always been that each claimed to be “her favorite!”. The truth of the matter is that the aforementioned were all “her favorites”. The real truth of the matter, though, is that each member of the family holds a unique and special place in their heart for their sweet and beloved “Grandma”. We love you, Grandma. You are “our favorite”.
Helen is survived by her children: son William Talbert and Margo Stout of Plano, Texas, daughter Linda French and husband Rodney of Kingston, Oklahoma, daughter Barbara Smith and Steve Chandler of Spencerville, Oklahoma. Grandchildren include William “Billy” Talbert and wife Amy, Julie Sullivan and husband Stacy, and Dr. Lindsey French Hoffman and husband Clint. Great grandchildren include Billy Talbert, Trevor Talbert, Grace Helen Hoffman, Cooper Hoffman, and Mason Choate, along with a host of nieces and nephews.
Preceding Helen in death are her parents Irving and Josephine Drake, her husband Bill Talbert, her son in law Gary Smith, grandson Cory Smith, and all of her siblings: Joe Drake, Fritz Drake, Martha Huckabay, Mary Stewart, Rachael Williams, and Marjorie Brent.
Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home in
Durant, Oklahoma.
www.holmescoffeymurray.com
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