Helen Curtis Barefield, 89, died June 30, 2012 with her family by her side at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, TX .
She was born June 22, 1923 in Youngstown, Ohio to Anna and Nick Kuras. Her father was a steel worker in Youngstown and her mother came up from Ukraine as a bar and restaurant owner.
Helen worked at their family business and graduated from Rayen High School in 1942 where she was a member of the Latin club, History club, English club and Commercial club. She also served as class officer and was on the annual board. She attended college at Ohio State, Penn State, Univ. of Michigan and UCLA.
She met and married Emmett Monroe Barefield, Jr. who was employed by Sinclair Refining Company. They resided at the Pinewood Inn Suite Hotel in Silsbee.
Mrs. Barefield worked for General Fire Proofing Contractor-contracted by United State Department of Defense Inspector QAQC War Division between 1940-1945 on the assembly line and inspected Stabilizers and Aircraft.
Helen was the owner of the Pinewood Inn and Suites since 1961 where she devoted much of her time. She was a past president and an active member of the Golden Triangle Hotel Motel Association. She also belonged to the Hardin County Tourist Bureau and was instrumental in the Kirby Hill Home purchase by KCAE.
The Pinewood Inn has been the hub of commercial and industrial lodging where she was very thankful for their lodging and loyalty. Helen appreciated the tourism industry and enjoyed being your Hardin County hostess and Big Thicket Ambassador. She was instrumental in getting the Big Thicket proclaimed as a natural forest by funding lobbyist in Washington DC. Her friend Lance Rossier (Mr. Big Thicket) showed Helen and numerous scientists areas of the Big Thicket where certain plants grow no where else on earth but there. Helen enjoyed the game of golf and won numerous trophies and tournaments during her college years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Silsbee, was a past president of the Silsbee Garden Club and was involved in conservation efforts and other civil, social and benevolent organizations. Her interest included family, gardening, reading and watching CNN.
She was one of five sisters.
Mrs. Helen Barefield is survived by sons, Philip Lee Barefield and Rodney Grant Barefield. She leaves behind several distant relatives and a host of friends who played important roles in her life.
A memorial service will be 10:00 am, Saturday, July 7, 2012 at R S Farmer Funeral Home in Silsbee. Everyone is invited to the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the service for a reception and time of fellowship with the family.
The Barefield family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Kumar, Dr. Alford and the medical staff at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, New Century Hospice Team and Debbin Robson RN and staff. The Barefield family would also like to give a special thank you to all the family, friends and Pinewood Inn employees for their support and loving prayers. Your services are appreciated by the Barefield family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 845 Hwy 96 S, Silsbee, TX 77656.
