Mrs. Helen Pitre Giron

Services will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at Our Savior's Church, Opelousas Campus for Helen P. Giron. Helen was born on August 13, 1933, to the union of Persley Pitre and Lola Green Pitre in Plaisance, Louisiana. She accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized by the late Reverend Samuel A. Crowder at Mohorn Baptist Church in Plaisance. Helen graduated from Plaisance High School in 1953. She was proud of her basketball playing days at Plaisance High and was a star athlete and an excellent student. Helen knew that education was the key to her success and was determined to go to college. With the help of her teacher, Ella Mae Batiste, and her brother, John Pitre, Helen was able to achieve her dream of furthering her education at Southern University in Baton Rouge. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1956 and a master’s degree in Elementary Education in 1967 from Southern University. Following her master’s degree, she also obtained the +30 hours of additional credit courses from Southern. After graduating, Helen returned to Opelousas, Louisiana and began teaching at the St. Landry Training School. She also molded the minds of young boys and girls at various St. Landry Parish schools such as JS Clark Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School. During her career, Helen taught various subjects and tutored children after school. Helen went beyond her classroom duties and helped to organize community activities and clothing drives for school children in need. After her retirement in 1986, Helen was a highly sought-after substitute teacher at Washington Elementary School, Plaisance Elementary School, Opelousas High School, Opelousas Junior High School, and South Street Elementary School. Many of Helen’s students would greet her in the community and thanked her for stern and determined approach to teaching. She taught multiple generations of the same family throughout her career. Helen was motherly before she became a mother. Her mother passed away when she was a child and her father passed away when she was in her early twenties. Helen took it upon herself to rear her sister, Jennie Pearl Edwards, and her late nephew, Anthony Pitre, Sr. She cared for them like they were her own and made sure they obtained a high school and college education. She also helped rear her grandson Elbert Giron, Sr. (Pop) for a short while. Helen was the go-to Aunt who took care of many nieces and nephews during the summer months. Helen married the love of her life, Herbert Willard Giron, Sr., in 1966. To this union three children were born: Dawn, Kayla and Lyle. They were married for thirty-five years before his death. Helen and Herbert built the first house in Evangeline Subdivision. Helen loved her children and ensured that they set and achieved their goals in life. She let everyone know how proud she was of her children and family. Helen was a devoted member of St. Mark United Methodist Church where she was a member until her death. She was a member of the choir, served as a lay speaker and communion minister, and was a member of many committees. She loved her church and her church family. She was also a member of the Carousel Social Club for many years. They were a close-knit group and were active in the community. Following in the footsteps of her daughters, Helen joined the Lambda Beta Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 2000 where she was active for many years. On Wednesday, December 20, Helen’s body could not be repaired. She took off mortality, put on immortality, and slipped away to a land that is older than Eden and taller than Rome - a land where she will never grow old. Those mourning her memory include her children Dawn Giron of Baton Rouge, LA; Drs Kayla Giron-Baker and husband Reginald Baker of Tracy, CA; Lyle Giron and his wife Cassandra Giron of Houston, TX; and her stepsons, Herbert Giron, Sr. of Inglewood, CA and Wilbert Giron, Sr. and his wife Betty Giron of Opelousas, LA. She is survived by two loving sisters: Mary Ina Cooper and Jennie Pearl Edwards of New Orleans, LA; her sister-niece Louella (Annawise) Lewis of New Orleans, LA; and her sister-in-law Clydia Giron of Opelousas. Her surviving grandchildren are Victoria, Taylor, Carter, Pam, Elbert Sr., Greg, and Wilbert Jr. She is also survived by her godchildren, Catherine Pitre and Lauren Giron, numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, sorors, coworkers and lifelong friends, including Eleanor Jo Miller, Yvonne Thierry, and Carrie Norman. Preceding her in death are her husband, Herbert Willard Giron, Sr.; her parents Persley and Lola Pitre; her brothers Alphonse Sr., Joseph, and John Pitre; her sisters Eula Mae Ricard, Irona Smith, Rhody Ward, and Elga Washington; her nephew who was like a son, Anthony Pitre, Sr.; daughter-in-law Elva Giron; grandson Peter Giron and his wife Danielle Giron; and godchild Jacqueline Batiste. She was also preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helen P. Giron often spoke about making the “dash” count and she most certainly did. Rest well thy good and faithful servant. The family requests visiting hours be observed on Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 8:00 A.M. to 9:45 A.M. at Our Savior's Church Opelousas Campus. Share words of comfort with the family of Helen P. Giron on her Permanent Life Tribute Page at www.williamsfuneralhomes.net. Be the first to post your most treasured memory of Helen. Show your support by sharing a personal message or story, meaningful photo or video, or record a video message using your webcam. On behalf of the family, we encourage you share your personal experiences and preserve the memory of Helen Pitre Giron for future generations to come. Final arrangements entrusted to Williams Funeral Home of Opelousas, 817 E. South Street, 337-942-2037.

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Mrs. Helen Pitre Giron

August 13, 1933 - December 20, 2023