Helen Garter Yowell

1937 - 2025

Helen Garter Yowell

August 30, 1937 - October 14, 2025

Helen Garter Yowell, 88, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, October 14th at her residence in Spring Branch, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Gray Garter and Helen Brown Smith Garter; and sisters Anna Wilson, Mary Garter, and Betty Jo Meredith. She is survived by Richard (Dick) Yowell, her husband of 64 years; two sisters: Bonnie Wiginton, and Patricia Matthews and husband James; three brothers: A.G. Garter and wife Debbie, John Garter and wife Linda, and Lee Garter and wife Lori; her two children: Leslie Moeller and husband Eric, and Richard Yowell, Jr. and wife Aimee; six grandchildren: John (Jack) Moeller and wife Natalie, Wyatt Yowell and wife Danielle, Eric Gray Moeller and wife Samantha, Grace Metcalf and husband Cody, Arthur Gray (A.G.) Yowell and wife Savannah, and Virginia Moeller; and eight great-grandchildren.

Helen was born in 1937 in Petersburg, Virginia, and was the oldest of nine children. She grew up on a dairy farm in Madison County and met her future husband on the bus to 4-H camp the summer between 7th and 8th grade. He still remembers her as the prettiest girl in school, which became official when she won the title of Miss Madison County in 1957. She shared with him a love of drama, participating in numerous plays throughout high school and college and starring as Eliza Doolittle in the 1958 Longwood College production of "Pygmalion." She was an accomplished seamstress, making among many things, her own and her sister's wedding gowns and the christening gown that her great-grandchildren still use.

She graduated from Longwood in 1960, taught high school calculus and physics and coached cheerleading In Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina. She loved learning throughout her life. She went on to earn a Master's in Adult Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and always had a book at hand. Helen was also a licensed real estate broker in Texas before retiring to focus on her children and grandchildren. She loved making the spaces in which her family lived orderly, inviting and beautiful. She never hosted a family meal without flowers on the table, more food than the group could possibly consume, and great conversation.

She was passionate about Christ and His Truth and she taught her children that "God is in the people business." She lived out her own words, investing deeply in relationships throughout her life. She often spoke of not being able to rest until she had finished a letter or made a call that the Holy Spirit had put on her heart. Her family has been overwhelmed with comments and stories from people across the country to whom she reached out and in whose lives she made a profound difference.

A memorial service and celebration is planned for 11 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church at Haywood, 1735 West Hoover Road, Madison, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Holy Cross, P.O. Box 614, Crozet, Virginia 22932, or Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 1735 West Hoover Road, Madison, Virginia 22932.

She is deeply missed but we rejoice that she is participating with her Savior in the good, orderly, inviting and beautiful work of His Kingdom.