Helen Preston

Helen Mignon Preston, 99, of Salado, Texas, passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior at 3:30 AM, Sunday, February 13, 2022.  Mignon was born September 12, 1922, in Hamlin, Texas, to Jerry Reynard Waggoner and Jessie Lee Waggoner (later Scott).  Mignon graduated from Hamlin High School in 1940 and attended North Texas State University for two years.  World War II began, and she left the University to marry Garland Reed Preston on September 24, 1943.  Garland was in the Army Airforce, and she became a literal “Rosy the Riveter” at a plant in Grand Prairie that manufactured airplanes for the war effort.

After the war, Mignon and Garland returned to Hamlin, where they resided until 1969, at which time they moved to Lubbock, Texas. Mignon and Garland had one son, Kenneth Alton Preston, born on June 23, 1946, and one daughter, Donna Denice Preston Brown, born on November 12, 1952.  Mignon was active in her children’s lives as a Cub Scout Den Mother and helping with Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls.  She also played the piano in the children’s department at First Baptist Church.

Mignon was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church of Hamlin, Texas.  Even though she attended First Baptist Church in Lubbock, she never moved her church letter, as the church in Hamlin was so dear to her heart.  She remained in Lubbock until 2016 when she moved to be near her daughter and son-in-law in Salado.

Mignon is preceded in death by her husband, Garland, on January 9, 2006.  Also preceding her in death was her son, Kenneth Alton Preston, on January 12, 2019. Surviving Mignon are her daughter, Denice Preston Brown of Salado, Texas, one granddaughter, Alexandra Michelle Brown Dinjar of Leander, Texas, and two great grandchildren, John Elijah Dinjar and James Lee Dinjar, also of Leander, Texas.

Mignon had a reputation of being “that sweet lady,” and was known for her acts of kindness. She was elected Hamlin High School Homecoming Queen in 1939 and was the Ex-Students Homecoming Queen in 1961.  She never met a stranger and was ready to assist anyone in need.  She enjoyed reading, studying God’s Word, working crossword puzzles, and playing bridge.

Visitation will be at the First Baptist Church of Hamlin, Texas at 1 PM, Thursday, February 16, 2022.  Funeral services will follow the visitation at 2 PM.  Russ Ponder of First Baptist Church, Hamlin, Texas, will officiate the service, with burial following at Hamlin Memorial Cemetery. “Absent from the body, present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).