Helen Slinker

Helen Levida Slinker passed away February 18th, 2007 in Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. She was born April 10, 1940 at home to Dela Marie Slinker and Thomas Slinker, a full breed Chocktaw Indian. Helen grew up in Flint, Michigan in a large family of four siblings. She is survived by her older sisters Marian Slinker Rupright Clair and Dellmae Slinker Courtland both of Southern California. Her older brother Owen Slinker preceded her in death. She has three nieces she was particularly close to, Dawn Marie, Christine Mae, and Darla Marie all of Southern California. Each of her nieces had two sons. Helen was married to James Shaw in her youth and they have three surviving children, James Shaw of Hillsboro Donna, Dela Marie Cathey of Hillsboro Wesley - a native Hillsboro resident and Thomas Alvin Shaw. James has no natural children. Dela Cathey has four children, Helen Cathey, Vanessa Cathey, James Cathey a survivor of a serious household fire and Eddie Cathey. Helen?s youngest son, Thomas Shaw has three children, Thomas Alvin Shaw of Austin, Crystal Shaw, and John Shaw both of Hillsboro. Helen also has a large family in Arkansas including her former husband Bobbie Winecoff and granddaughter Misty Shaw. She has aunts and uncles in their 90's and their many children and families. Helen was a nurse her entire working career. She took great pride in her Licensed Vocational Nursing Certificate. Her family often spoke of how Helen enjoyed caring for people. She was a newborn nurse for fifteen years and she spent the remainder of her career serving retired and older people which she was proud of. She was an unusually cheerful, happy, smiling and good natured woman whose good sense of humor kept those around her in smiles and often giggles. She was very proud of her three children and her conversations were mostly about her children and her beloved grandchildren. Texas was a bigger and better place because Helen lived here. As was her wish, her body will be cremated following the visitation.