Helen Hargrove Hamilton Hastings

1930 - 2021

Helen Hargrove Hamilton Hastings

November 25, 1930 - June 29, 2021

Helen Hargrove Hamilton Hastings died with family beside her at her Waco home on June 29, 2021. Beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, teacher and friend to many, she embodied compassion, kindness and sweet selfless love for all others around her. A memorial service celebrating Helen's life will be held at Noon, Saturday, August 21, at Lake Shore Baptist Church, 5801 Bishop Drive, Waco, Texas. Sharlande Sledge will officiate the service and visitation with the family will follow.

Helen was born in Dallas Texas, in 1930, to Dr. Hubbard Hargrove and Theta Plunkett Hargrove. She was a preacher's daughter; her life always revolved around her church and the Bible's teachings. She grew up in various Texas cities, including in Waco where her father pastored Columbus Avenue Baptist Church. A talented pianist as a girl, Helen began her studies at Baylor University in hopes of pursuing a career as a concert pianist. Eschewing the many lonely, long hours in the practice hall required of that pursuit, she instead earned her undergraduate degree at Baylor in music education in just three years. She married Bobby Hamilton, a charming jazz musician and the father of Helen's three daughters, Anne, Kay, and Jan. Their home is remembered as one always full of music. Before her daughters were old enough to attend school, Helen taught piano lessons in her home and, for a time, was the pianist in their church. Bobby and Helen hosted live jam sessions at home; tunes from the latest jazz greats often filled the home on Saturday nights. And, Sunday mornings, the family dressed for church listening to the sounds of hymns or classical pieces. When the girls were older, Helen taught music and art in Waco public schools for many years.

In 1970, when Helen became a young widow and mother of three school-age girls, she earned a Master of Education degree from Baylor University. She immediately began a career as a special education counselor in the Waco School District. Helen loved children and was committed to the task of assuring the educational needs of each child were met.

In 1972, Helen was "surprised by joy" as she would say, when she met and married Sam Hastings, with whom she shared over 42 years of marriage. Together, Sam and Helen were loving parents to Anne, Kay, and Jan. And, Helen cherished her role as stepmother to Sam's beautiful daughters, Mary, Diane, and Becky, whom she dearly loved. Helen and Sam loved to travel on trips both abroad and closer to home, sometimes with a lucky grandchild or two. Helen was an avid reader, a joy shared with her daughters. Helen loved to talk about politics; she cared about the rights of all. Most of all, Helen loved being with her family and was proud of her daughters and grandchildren. Her wit and humor, her delicious meals, her beautiful prayers, her uplifting spirit, her quiet listening, our shopping sprees together, and many other moments with her, will be missed.

Helen lived a life of gratitude and faith. Prayer was a central part of her daily life; we were blessed to hear our names spoken in her prayers. She was a member of Lake Shore Baptist Church for over 60 years, where she served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, committee member, and party hostess. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Mission Waco, Reading Buddies, and Habitat for Humanity.

Helen is survived by her brother, Larry Hargrove; sister, Ann Hargrove Beadel; daughters, Anne Hamilton Smajstrla (Paul), Kay Hamilton-Hastings (Walt Persons), Janet Hamilton de la Garza; stepdaughters, Mary Arno Hollimon (Peter), Diane Hastings (Stephen Hileman), and Rebecca Hastings Gilbreath (Jeffrey); nephews; nieces; 22 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank all the many friends who sent cards during her illness. The family also thanks the staff at Providence Hospice (Community Hospice of Texas) especially Dr. Joshua Wesley and nurses Chelle and Kay for their attentive care of Helen. The family is grateful to Jon Searles and Trung Giang and the caregivers from Right at Home who tenderly cared for Helen, including, Angela, Jacki, Juana, Peggy, Shawn, Eva, Brenda, Vera, and Ashley. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to Lake Shore Baptist Church, Meals on Wheels Waco or to the charity of your choice.