Mrs. Helen Marie Devance

Helen Marie Austin Devance was born on October 30, 1935, in Meridian, Oklahoma. She was the only child of Leona Hatcher Doak Austin (Sanders) and John Leroy Austin. Having accepted Christ at a young age, she went on to be a youth leader in the Church of the Living God and continued in service there for many years, until failing health prevented her from attending. Nevertheless, she remained a devout Christian witness and woman of God throughout her life.
Helen was exceptionally bright and attended Langston University in Oklahoma before relocating to Kansas City, Missouri. She worked as a waitress at Wolferman's Restaurant before meeting and marrying the love of her life, James Devance. Their union was blessed with three children: Leon Eugene, and twins Larry Romel and Donita Michele. A devoted and loving mother, Helen embraced her role as a homemaker. She ultimately returned to the workforce at Marketing Communications, Inc., where she served as a lead mass mail distribution clerk. In 1989, she and James relocated the family to Florissant, Missouri, where she spent her remaining years.
Helen will be remembered for her unwavering kindness, generosity, and compassion. She delighted in sharing her resources, sending heartfelt cards and letters, and making calls to uplift those she cherished. She was well known for slipping "a little change" to friends and family to celebrate achievements, during times of illness, when they faced hardships, and often, "just because". She loved clipping magazine photos and inspirational words of wisdom that she used to create memory albums for her family. She was the unofficial family historian, called upon to recount details of the family's rich and storied past. Visitors to her home were welcomed with a warm meal, great conversation, laughter, and reminiscing.
A deeply caring soul, Helen opened her home to care for her aging mother-in-law and later dedicated herself to caring for her own parents in their final years. She played an active role in the lives of grandsons Sandile, Khari, and Yimani, lovingly caring for them during summer stays and creating lasting memories as she took them on adventures around the area.
Helen leaves behind a loving family: her devoted husband of almost 65 years, two sons, a daughter, three grandsons, and a host of cherished cousins and dear friends. While she will be deeply missed, her loved ones take comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many others who have gone before her. We salute and celebrate this awesome Woman of God!

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