Helen G Exner

Helen Gibson Exner, age 89, of Amarillo, died surrounded by her family on June 6, 2024.

The family will celebrate Helen's life on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 10 a.m., at First Christian Church, 3001 Wolflin Ave. Arrangements are by Angel Funeral Home.

Helen Gibson Exner was born on June 3, 1935, in a little farmhouse in Buchanan County, Missouri with her parents, Virgil and Emma Gibson.  Along with her older brother, until the big move to Atchison, Kansas at the age of five.   She started her school year at Washington Elementary and finished her school years at Atchison High School.

She married Truman Arthurs in 1952 and had the first son of three, Brad in 1953, two more boys, Jimmy in 1955 and Gary in 1957.  Where they all moved to Delray Beach, Florida.  Truman’s brother owned a local weekly newspaper, where Truman worked. Their middle son, Jimmy developed an unknown rare malignancy that took his life at the age of six. The marriage could not withstand the death and ended in divorce.

In 1968, met and married the love of her life, Robert "Bob" W. Exner Jr.  Robert was in the marine corp. and served two tours in Vietnam. He became the perfect stepfather, a job he filled willing, as their father had passed away at the age of 42. The family enjoyed life together for 55 years.  

Helen had been active at the First Christian church and community, where she served 20 years on the Salvation Army advisory board.  This included helping with the Christian Campaign for Homeless and Volunteer Council for a state center.

She enjoyed sewing and cross puzzles. Her favorite family memories were spending time on the farm with grandparents during harvest time.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and her son, Jimmy.

She was survived by her husband of 56 years; sons, Brad Arthurs and wife Phyllis, and Gary Arthurs and wife Patty; friends, John and Sandy Walker, Joel and Valerie Olson, God-daughter Lisa and her family Kevin, Macy and Emerson Nunemaker; two granddaughters Whittney Coker and husband Calvin, and Kierra Arthurs, grandson Brian Arthurs, and five great-grandchildren; as well as long time neighbors, Gerald and Mary Anderson.