Obituaries

Helen Odean Lashley, 86, of Denison, passed away Monday, May 12th at The Terrace Nursing & Rehab Center in Denison. Her family will receive friends at Dannel Funeral Home Friday evening, May 16th, from 6:00-8:00. Graveside services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 17th, at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman. Rev. Jody Shires of Sunnyside Baptist Church in Denison will officiate. Helen was born February 2, 1928, in Fluvanna, Texas, to John Nathaniel and Helen Blythe Frizzell. She moved to Grayson County as a young teen, where she attended Denison schools. On October 7, 1943, she married Vernon Lashley. They were together for over 65 years before his death in 2009. Like many young women during World War II, Helen worked while her husband served his country overseas. For a season, she was employed by Hardwicke-Etter, manufacturing the shell casings that would eventually find their way into military action in Europe. Later, Helen spent many years as a beautician, and as an instructor for the Sherman Beauty School. She was also an accomplished seamstress and, over the years, designed, hand-stitched, and gave away dozens of quilts. Helen was an active part of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and named as a ‘Gold Star Mother’ for her volunteer work in that organization. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon, brothers J.W. Frizzell and Gerald Frizzell, sisters Ada Mae Frizzell and Ora Colbert, sons Ronnie, Jerry and Mike Lashley, and grandsons Jeremy Lashley and Chuck Colvin. She is survived by her children: Rickey Lashley (Laura) of Tom Bean, Glen Lashley (Lisa) of Sherman, Donald Lashley (Michelle) of Pilot Point, Janelle Skipworth (Billy) of Sherman, Pam Colvin (Ed) of Sherman, and Donna Godbey (David) of Sherman; sisters: Marie Kepler of Lampasas and Kathryn Morgan of Kerrville; grandchildren: Kim Turner (Lee), Jeff Dennis, Sharon Bockemehl (John), Jeanette Parsons (Jason), Jerry Lashley, Jr., Brian Lashley (Sheila), Paul Lashley (Kandi), Ronnie Lashley (Summer), Brandi Wagner (Chris), Raymond Lashley (Erica), James Lashley, Jennifer Colvin, Taylor Lashley, Bo Godbey (Kellie), Cody Godbey, Jarrod Godbey (Kelsey); great-grandchildren: Ricky Coffelt, Cory Coffelt, Brandi Bright, Brandon Turner, Kate Duke, Dakota Lashley, Addison Carlin, Tyler Wagner, Jacob Lashley, Allie Lashley, Ben Colvin, Blake Jones, Matt Morris, Keaton Turner, Koen Turner, and Johnie Lee Dennis; great-great-grandchildren: Anthony Coffelt, Bella Turner, Hanna Bright, Destany, Kegan and Ari’Ana Robinson; and a host of dear friends. In lieu of flowers, Helen’s family would be honored by memorial donations to the Susan B. Komen Research Foundation at www.komen.org