Helen Doris Jackson

Our beloved mother, teacher, sister and friend, went to rejoin her husband Raymond on the evening of January 3, 2015. She was born to Banks and Anadel Graves on September 5, 1917 at home in Somerville, Texas. She grew up there and graduated from Somerville High School. Helen headed off to the University of Texas, Austin, with the intent of going into medicine. She left UT because of a death in the family and was unable to return to college. She taught children in a one room school in Somerville from 1936 to 1937. Helen moved, with her family to Albuquerque in 1937, to the Santa Fe Railroad Tie Treatment Plant where her father became the head of the Mechanical Department. Helen started attending the University of New Mexico and while working in downtown Albuquerque, she was spotted by the man destined to become her husband and the love of her life. Helen completed her studies at UNM and graduated with a Bachelor of Education in History and Mathematics and a minor in Psychology. Her next job was office manager of a restaurant at the Albuquerque Airport where she was recruited by Trans Continental Airlines, where in the Spring of 1941 she became the first Woman Radio Operator west of the Mississippi. Her people skills and her ability to take charge came to the attention of others working at the flight control tower and she was approached by the Federal Communication Commission. Soon Helen was off for training in Fort Worth, Texas to become one of the first female Air Traffic Controllers in the Southwest. Upon completion of her training she continued to work at the Fort Worth tower. However, because of Helen’s asthma, doctor’s orders sent her back to Albuquerque. Once her health improved, she was assigned to Signal Corps Headquarters at Kirtland Field where she relayed coded Manhattan Project messages. Helen married Raymond C. Jackson in May of 1944 then followed him to New Orleans and Houston during World War II. They came home to Albuquerque, and in 1946 welcomed their first daughter, Patricia Ann. Maryle was born 3 years later and after a short stint in Washington, D.C. for the Korean Conflict, Helen Catherine came along. Helen was no longer employed outside the home but she was still working hard. She joined the Bandelier Elementary School PTA and eventually became president. She was active in her daughters’ Girl Scout troops and was Superintendent of Children’s Sunday school at Central United Methodist Church. With the girls growing up, she headed back to work outside of the home and in 1963, took a job in the Office of Admissions and Records at the University of New Mexico. During her tenure at UNM, registration went from students tramping all over campus to register for classes to computer generated punch cards in Johnson Gym. Helen excelled in tracking the statistics required by the University and it was during this time that she took on and helped to clean up what was later to be known as “Lobo-gate,” becoming the champion of the disenfranchised athletes. She guided, what seemed like millions of students through the registration and graduation process, making sure they had all the necessary classes and was known to take on a few professors as well. She retired from UNM in 1983 as Associate Registrar in charge of Re-admission, Graduations, Statistics and Athletic Eligibility. Raymond spent many years as Sales Manager at the Excelsior Laundry, retired from the US Army Reserves as a Major and then, finally from the Albuquerque Public Schools as Supervisor of Purchasing, in 1985. They bought a small vacation home in Monte Vista, Colorado and over the next 25 years, spent many wonderful months overhauling the house, fishing and reading in the cool Colorado weather. In 2011 Raymond died two days after their 67th wedding anniversary and the loss broke Helen’s heart. Her daughters, Patti, Maryle and Helen Catherine, stepped up and along with Martha Gonzales, Paula Holguin and Nikki Hermasillo, her wise and wonderful caregivers, were able to keep Helen in her home until her passing that Saturday night in Maryle’s arms. In death, Helen Doris Graves Jackson joined her parents, her beloved husband, Raymond and their granddaughter, Helen Aubrey Miller. Left here to treasure all of the wonderful memories are her sister Beth Morgan and her daughter Susan; Helen’s daughters, Patricia A. Spencer of Santa Fe, Maryle Barber of Albuquerque and Helen Catherine Miller of Roswell. Her grandchildren, who all brought her great joy, include John Hunter and his wife Laura; Truman Spencer, Elizabeth (Jenny) Barber, Amanda Kirkbride and her husband Justin; Jay and Chance Miller. Raymond and Helen were also blessed with three great–grandchildren; Sean Neuman, Madison Helene and Jackson Edgar Kirkbride. Services for Helen will take place on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 109 University NE, Albuquerque, NM and will be conducted by Rev. Jim Hawk. Ennichment will follow immediately at the Centennial Urn Garden in the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. A reception will be held for all of those that would like to share memories of Helen. Helen and Raymond were true patriots, having lived from the end of WW I through 9/11 and the present conflicts. They saw the effects that war took, physically, mentally and emotionally on the veterans and their charities of choice became the Wounded Warrior Project at PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Association, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004, in support of their grandson. Please direct any gifts and remembrances to either of these wonderful organizations.

Helen Doris Jackson

September 5, 1917 - January 3, 2015