Helen Moree Etheredge

Surrounded by family, Helen Moree Etheredge, 99, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 21, 2026 in Canyon, Texas. Helen was born on April 22, 1927 to S.M. and Edna McElyea Moree in Paris, Texas, where she was also raised. On May 9, 1943, in Tell, Texas, at the tender age of 16, she married the one and only love of her life, “Cotton” Etheredge of Kirkland, Texas. After the first few years of marriage, they relocated to Dumas, Texas for Cotton’s employment at Shamrock Oil & Gas Company in 1946, where they lived for 57 years.

During her time in Dumas, she worked for Phillips Manor Motel for two years as a housekeeper. It was during this time, she and a close friend identified a growing need in Dumas. Help-yourself laundries were in short supply. Once quoted as saying that working for the other guy was not her “cup of tea.” “No reflection on anyone,” she hastened to explain. She just loved the freedom of being her own boss. At the height of their success they owned and operated 4 laundries. This became her decades long career where she obtained moderate success and great satisfaction.

Throughout Helen’s life, Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior. She and Cotton made Christ a central part of their lives attending and becoming active members of First Baptist Church until 2003 when they moved to Amarillo, Texas to be closer to their daughter and her family. They chose to call The Church at Quail Creek in Amarillo their church home. Helen remained an active member after Cotton’s passing on February 13, 2008. They were married for almost 65 years. After moving to Canyon in 2015 with her daughter’s family, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church until she passed.

Helen had a heart as big as Texas and gladly helped anyone who needed it. Regardless of where she was or what she was doing, family was of the utmost importance. She enjoyed spending a week each year in South Fork, Colorado with her family. She especially enjoyed feeding peanuts to chipmunks.

In addition to Cotton, she was preceded in death by her parents, S.M. and Edna Moree; brothers, Leonard and Joe Moree and sister, Mildred Willoughby. Helen is survived by her daughter, Kay Milbern and husband David Milbern of Canyon, TX and grandson, Jason Milbern of Canyon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the funeral home, with family gathering at 4 o’clock that afternoon. A Chapel Service is scheduled at 10 o’clock in the morning on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Beeson ~ Morrison Funeral Directors in-house chapel followed by interment at Dumas Cemetery.