Helen Frances (Beckner) Kilburn

Helen Frances Beckner Kilburn was born on October 2, 1946, to Elmer Hess Beckner and Ursula (Brown) Beckner in Clayton, NM. Helen was the only sister to four brilliant brothers; Weldon, Ferol, Everett, and Gary. Helen married Jerry Kilburn, the most handsome guy in Clayton, on October 6, 1963. Together they raised two incredible sons, David and Brian. Raising two strong, Christian men who have in turn raised beautiful families that love the Lord was Helen’s proudest accomplishment.

Helen earned a Master of Fine Arts from West Texas State University. She taught watercolor, oil, pottery & enamel copper at the Amarillo Museum of Art and Amarillo College. Teaching her grandkids at the Art Camp at the AMOA was very special for her. Helen performed in several plays at the Amarillo Little Theater & sang in the Amarillo Symphony Choir. She was an excellent piano player,  teaching private piano lessons and playing at several churches throughout the years. She loved sharing her talents with her family and friends. Many loved ones have Helen’s art in their home.

Helen madly and unconditionally loved her family. She was “Mimi” to six amazing grandchildren: Kelsey, Kallie, Jacey, Caz, Rylea and Kyla. She was crazy about her two great grandchildren, Willow and Barry. Mimi was their biggest cheerleader.

Helen loved big with all her heart. She had a very extravagant personality and a joyous spirit. She took every opportunity to share the gospel. She taught us how to be thankful in every circumstance. If she loved you, she told you every time you talked. She walked out her faith by trusting in the Lord in every area of her life. She was the fiercest of prayer warriors. She prayed ceaselessly for her family, friends, and lots of people she had never met. She always sent the perfect bitmoji or twelve.

Helen was greeted in heaven on December 14, 2022, by her parents, Hess and Ursula Beckner, her brother Ferol Beckner and his wife Glenda (Mickey) Beckner, her sister-in-law Betty Beckner, and her beloved cat Starbrite.

Helen is a beautiful guardian angel for her son David Kilburn and wife Tracey of Amarillo, son Brian Kilburn and wife Jennifer of Amarillo; her grandchildren, Jacey Ferguson and husband Brady of Angelholms, Sweden, Caz Kilburn of Amarillo, Rylea Kilburn of Oklahoma City, Kyla Kilburn of Oklahoma City, Kelsey Davis and husband Dawson of Amarillo, Kallie Huckabay and husband Ethan of Amarillo; two great grandchildren, Willow Kilburn of Amarillo and Barry Ferguson of Angelholms, Sweden; her brothers, Weldon Beckner of Arlington, TX, Everett Beckner and wife Caroline of Sante Fe, NM,  and Gary Beckner and wife Janice of Universal City, TX; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends;  and her cat Oreo.

The family would like to give special thanks to the following people;  Kelly Munoz at the Talmage, thank you for going far above and beyond the call of duty; to Wanda Gollihugh, you have a true servant’s heart. We will be forever grateful for the love and compassion you showed to our mom. We are especially thankful to the ICU Nurses at NWTH for the exceptional care and kindness you gave to Helen and to us this past week. Brandon O – you really are a life saver.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 2:00pm in the Chapel of Hillside Christian Church West, 6101 S. Soncy in Amarillo.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Helen’s memory to Faith City Mission (www.faithcity.org).