Helen Marchant's Obituary
Frances Helen (Jones) Marchant was born in Cooper, Delta County, Texas on January 14, 1930 to Elijah Alfred Jones and Cordie Lee (Akard) Jones. As a girl she loved to play in the fields of Delta County and in Bonham with her six sisters and one brother, whom she stayed close with her whole life. In 1950 she met and married her husband of 62 years, Hobart Clay Marchant, with whom she raised 5 children, Kenny, Ronnie, Randy, Sandra and Pam. In the 1950’s Helen and Hobart moved their family to Dallas and eventually Carrollton-Farmers Branch, where Helen raised her family and sold Highlights Magazines, babysat, and ironed clothes to help make ends meet. She and Hobart also worked to build and support the Valwood Church of the Nazarene (eventually the Carrollton Church of the Nazarene). Helen’s life was her family and her church. She took pride in picking up neighborhood kids and taking them to church with the family every Sunday and filling any need at the church. Once her own children were grown, she began a career selling homes for the family’s homebuilding business across Carrollton. She had a knack for selling and throughout her life those she sold a home would remember her warmth, her laugh and her genuine care for them and their family. Once her grandchildren started coming, she had a new focus and source of pride. She had 15 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, on whom she doted and bragged about and supported no matter what. “Granny Helen” was a constant source of love and hospitality for her family and her church and her impact on them will last for generations.
She is survived by her five children, Kenny Marchant, Ronnie Marchant, Randy Marchant, Sandra Mitchell, and Pam Marchant. Her sister’s Elizabeth Vleck, and Inell Donohoe. She has 15 grandchildren and 21 great children.
Services will be at 11:00 am, Graveside at Restland Cemetary, Dallas, Texas. Viewing will be at the Wildwood Chapel between 9:30-10:30 am, public is welcome.
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