Helen Tarver

Helen Jeanette Tarver, 86 of Ruidoso, was born on January 12, 1925 in Mobile, Alabama to John Rudolph and Ernestina Caledonia Spradley Smith and passed away on June 25, 2011 in Ruidoso.

Mrs. Tarver attended school in Mobile, Alabama and after graduation she married Arnold R. Tarver on November 24, 1946 in Mobile. Mr. Tarver worked in the aircraft industry as a pilot, instructor, and designer, which involved moving. After living in Mobile they moved to Alexandria, Louisiana and then to Wichita, Kansas. In 1951 they moved to Castroville, Texas where Helen worked as a secretary for the Castroville Public Schools and in 1961 they moved to Midland, Texas where they lived until 1972. She was employed at the Permian Corporation Oil Company as a Key Punch Operator. In 1972 they moved to Ruidoso and Helen worked at Ruidoso State Bank while supporting Arnold in home building. She was a wonderful and loving wife and mother. She loved to read and dance and during WWII she was a member of a dance team with the USO.


Mrs. Tarver is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 60 years, Arnold R. Tarver in 2006. She is survived by her son Scott Tarver of Ruidoso and her daughter Sharon Shay Anne Matthew and husband Wesley of Costa Mesa, CA.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital,
Memorial Donation, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

No services are planned at this time.