Obituary

McFarland, Gwen Ernest, Mrs. (Mary Helene Morris)

Mary Helene McFarland, 98, of Plainview, Texas passed away on Friday, March 16, 2018. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 2:00 pm at First Christian Church, Plainview, Texas with Richard Dye and Lanny Voss officiating. A visitation in the Fellowship Hall of the church will immediately follow the service.

Mary Helene, known to all of her friends and family as Helene, was born on March 20, 1919 in Castro County, Texas to John Redwine Morris and Katie Mae White Morris. She later fell in love with and married Gwen Ernest McFarland on November 19, 1938. Helene was a dedicated wife and mother who diligently supported her husband as a farmer for over 40 years. Working in the home was not Helene?s only passion. She was a staunch supporter of education and a tireless worker in the political process. Her involvement in politics spanned decades during which she attended a presidential inauguration as well as multiple state and national conventions. Her civic involvement wasn?t limited to the political sphere; she was instrumental in bringing the Texas Outdoor Musical to Palo Duro Canyon in the 1960?s. She was a proud graduate of West Texas A&M University where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and received a degree in Art.

Helene was preceded in death by her husband, Gwen Ernest McFarland and an infant daughter, Sheryn Gail, as well as five sisters, Othella White, Ruth Dirks, Joan French, Reba Watson, and Pat Wolfe. Helene is survived by three daughters, Sandy Gwen and her husband Kip Morgan of Amarillo, Texas, DeZane McFarland and her husband Kent Billington of Happy, Texas, and Kipa Wade and her husband Michael Koenning of Plainview, Texas; five grandchildren, Thane Morgan and his wife Stacie of Amarillo, Texas, Jhara Carter and his wife Charlene of Aurora, Colorado, Gwen Morgan and his wife Lisa of Amarillo, Texas, Lesha Koenning of Houston, Texas and Jarret Koenning of Plano, Texas; and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Wilma Bell of Amarillo, Texas, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends.