Helen Hurst, age 93, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026 surrounded by family. Born on February 16, 1933, in Hiram to Jesse and Ruby Hays. Helen lived a life centered around faith, family, hard work, and simple joys.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Hurst, son, Thomas Hurst, and sister, Glema Lacy. Though small in stature, Helen’s love, strength, and spirited personality filled every room she entered. 

She leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish her memory: Belinda Beard of Columbia, South Carolina, Brenda Riggs of Lubbock, Texas, Gail Barraza of Savannah, Georgia, Jackie Hurst of Coal Hill, Arkansas, and Debbie Guevara and husband Roger of Magnolia, Arkansas. Known as Mamaw to 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, she was also dearly loved by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and four legged companions.

As the wife of a military man, Helen traveled the world while raising her six children. With the ability to make friends easily, Helen quickly adapted to living in foreign lands. The Hurst family lived in Okinawa, off the coast of Japan, and Kiaserslautern Germany where she learned to cook many dishes from native friends. The family also lived at multiple military bases in the United States including White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. Her passion for adventures and travel continued into her senior years visiting the Grand Canyon in her 90’s to check off another bucket list experience.

Helen’s simple joys included playing Bingo, crocheting, cooking meals for her family, canning vegetables, gardening, working crossword puzzles, and traveling with those she loved most. Her home was often filled with warmth, laughter, the comforting smells of home made meals. Always generously gifting her canned goods, home made jellies, banana nut breads and creative crochet crafts.

She will be remembered for her resilience, generous heart, and unwavering devotion to her family. Her legacy lives on through the generations she nurtured and loved so deeply. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 19 from 4-6pm at the Heber Springs VFW. The Family Address is 912 CR 2141, Hartman, AR 72840.  Interment is at Hess Cemetery at 11am on June 20, 2026 with a reception to follow at the Coal Hill Community Center.