Helaine D. Flowers

In Loving Memory

Helaine Doris Flowers

Helaine was born on July 5, 1935, in Fresno, CA to Albert Everett and Marie Pauline Jahnke Ballas. She passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of January 18, 2023 in Merced, CA at the age of 87. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend.

She spent her early years in Fresno, CA attending St. Johns Catholic School through eighth grade. Helaine moved with her family to Clovis in the early 1950s. In 1955, she graduated from Clovis Union High School and over the years enjoyed attending her high school reunions. Helaine was very talented at needlepoint and knitting. She loved babies, enjoyed growing plants, and above all being a mother and grandmother.

 Helaine married Billie Mack Flowers on September 5, 1964, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Clovis, CA. They enjoyed years of happiness raising their two daughters and traveling until Bill’s passing in 1995 in Logandale, NV. At that time, Helaine moved back to Merced to be near her daughters. She lived in Merced for about 43 years. She was a member of the Christian Life Center Church and enjoyed being a greeter and serving on committees.

Helaine loved her family and her family loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Bill, her sister Barbara Mayhew, and her brother Michael Ballas. She is survived by her daughters Kimberlee Poe and Shannon Flowers; grandchildren Bryan Poe (Monica), Diana Garcia (Simon), Melissa Poe and fiancé Joseph, Mathew Blackmun (Chelsie), Vanessa Rugani (Mitch) and Megan Grise (Tyler); great grandchildren Elias Poe, Elisha Castro, Olivia Rugani, Layla Rugani, Mackenzee Blackmun, Aubrey Blackmun, and Brantley Blackmun; sisters and brothers-in-law Bob and Janice Davis, Warren and Kathleen Pannett, John and Marylou Peckfelder, and Sylvia Ballas; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Celebration of Helaine’s life will be graveside on Wednesday, Feb 1, 2023 at 12 Noon at the Merced District Cemetery.

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