Helen Jewell Caldwell McGill

Helen McGill, former Director of Special Education for Amarillo Independent School District

Helen Jewel Caldwell McGill, a former teacher and Director of Special Education for Amarillo Independent School District, died peacefully Monday, August 5th. She was 91. 

Helen was born in Collingsworth County, Texas, on January 22, 1933. She spent her childhood and her early education in the community of Midway. She attended high school in Wellington, Texas, graduating in 1949 at the age of 16. Helen received a Bachelor of Arts from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1952 at the age of 19. 

Her first teaching job was in the rural community of Samnorwood in Collingsworth County, Texas. The following year, she taught in Wellington Schools.

Helen married Raymond “Red” McGill on July 1, 1952, shortly after graduating college. They were married until his death in 2000. They had two sons, Jerry and Jimmy, and a daughter, Terri.

Helen and Red moved to Amarillo in 1959, where she took a job teaching special education at Palo Duro High School.

She continued her education at West Texas State University and received a Master’s of Education. She was Supervisor of Special Education for AISD at North Heights and later worked as director of special education for Canyon Independent School District. 

In 1977, Helen accepted a position as Director of Special Education for Amarillo Independent School District, where she worked until her retirement in 1990. 

In the late 1970s, Texas underwent sweeping changes in how the school system should work with students with disabilities. These changes laid the foundation for modern special education practices. She embraced the new awareness of advocacy, and it was her responsibility to implement those changes. She was tasked with understanding the policies and educating administrators and teachers to create changes inside and outside the classroom. She understood the importance of parent involvement and encouraged parent participation. 

Helen was an educator at heart and a tireless advocate for children and her students. She took a special interest in each student and worked closely with the Amarillo Speech, Hearing & Language Center and the Center for Children’s Rehabilitation to learn their individual needs and ensure the children received the necessary services.

A long-time volunteer in the community, she was a woman of influence who used her leadership role in service to others. She gave her time to serve on countless committees for local non-profit organizations and on the Boards of Directors for many organizations as well. 

Helen was President of the Amarillo Retired Teachers Association from 2002 to 2004 and of the District 16 Texas Retired Teachers Association from 2004 to 2006. She worked closely with committees and lawmakers to create and implement legislation to strengthen retiree benefits. 

She was honored with many awards throughout her 38 years in the public school system. In 1989, she received the prestigious Story Teller Award given by the Board of Directors at the Children’s Rehabilitation Center. The Story Teller Award is presented to an individual demonstrating community excellence of leadership exemplified by unselfish generosity of time and talent. 

She was an active member of the Texas Garden Clubs Inc., Panhandle Chapter and was Treasurer and Corresponding Secretary of the Puckett Place Garden Club. 

In her later years, she filled her time with gardening and travel to new places. She loved to fish and was always up for adventure. Her favorite destination was St. George Island in North Florida. 

Helen’s faith was an essential part of her life. She was a long-time member of Saint Stephen Methodist Church and took great delight in singing in the choir and helping out with the children’s wing.

She lived a very full and active life. She especially enjoyed the company of her family and her beloved dogs and cats.

Helen Jewel Caldwell McGill is the daughter of the late Tom and Jewel Caldwell.

She is survived by her daughter, Terri “Rose” McGill Starkey and husband, Jesse Starkey; her granddaughter, Amanda Parks and husband, Everett Parks; her great-granddaughters, Riley McGill, Cami Parks, and Bodi Parks, and her great-great-granddaughter, Mavis McGill; her grandson, Jason Harper; her granddaughter, Lacey Harper and husband, Jonathan Austin; her great-granddaughter, Jessenia Austin; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Red McGill; her two sons, Jerry Dalton McGill and Jimmy Dale McGill; and her brother, Harold Caldwell. 

The family will receive guests on Friday, August 16th, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia Street, Amarillo, Texas

The funeral will be conducted on Saturday, August 17th, at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Stephen Methodist Church, 4600 S. Western Street, Amarillo, Texas, with Dr. Jim Smith officiating. A graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Wellington, Texas, following the funeral at 2:00 PM led by Pastor Stan Cosby. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to: 

High Plains Children’s Home

www.hpch.org