Helen Aline Stem

Helen Aline Crook Stem, age 97, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Burnet, Texas with her daughter, Susie, by her side. Graveside service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, at Waco Memorial Park with Jonathan Grant officiating. Visitation will be Monday, July 17, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Helen was born in Lorena, Texas, on April 22, 1926, and grew up in that area until the family moved to Waco. She graduated from Waco High and a local business school. She met the love of her life, Alva Stem, when she decided to take swimming lessons from him at Kiwanis swimming pool. He fell in love with the beautiful young woman in the red bathing suit. Though, she never learned how to swim! They married in January of 1952 and had two children: Melinda Sue (Susie) and Alva Bryan, Jr. Helen worked in various offices before the children were born, then during the Christmas season at Sears. She was a member of the Brook Avenue PTA and a Bluebonnet Girl den mother. When the children were teenagers, she joined Waco Independent School District as a library aide, where she worked at Waco High and various other campuses. Helen and Alva always enjoyed traveling, so after retirement, they traveled all over the United States and the world. As retired military, they enjoyed nothing better than going Space Available, wherever the plane was going. Alva and Helen volunteered for many years with Waco Meals on Wheels. Helen was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Waco. After Alva died, she moved to the Rio Grande Valley to live with her daughter and her family. Towards the end of her life, she moved with them to Burnet County. Helen lived her life for Christ, instilling in her children the love for Him and sharing the Gospel. Her family knew the moment she left this world, she was with her Lord and Savior.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband of almost sixty years, Alva Bryan Stem; her son, Alva Bryan Stem, Jr.; her parents, Ezra Lee Crook and Clara Bess Crook; and her seven brothers: Emery Lee Crook, Edward Crook, Aubrey Crook, Coke Crook, Vernon Crook, Rob Crook, and Billy Crook.

Survivors include her daughter, Susie Houston and husband, Herb Houston; her daughter in law, Sherry Stem; her grandchildren, Taylor Houston Beck and her husband, Paul Beck; Trey Houston and his wife, Shannon Houston, Tyler Houston, Sheena Stem Olenick and her husband, Blake, and Rex Stem; her greatgrandchildren, Kennedy Meno, Kellen Meno, Declan Houston, Hayes Houston, Miller Houston, Braxton Olenick; and various nieces and nephews.

The family requests those who wish, consider making a donation to Waco Meals on Wheels or their favorite charity.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.