Obituary of Nevada Helen Severn

One of the last great conversationalists and fabulous storytellers of our time left us this past July 4, 2017. “Mamaw,” “Skeet,” “Vadie,” “Guam,” Nevada Helen Severn passed away peacefully on Tuesday, surrounded by her loving family. One of her favorite phrases was a simple, “turn that TV off and let’s talk.” Thus, the television was shut down and the conversation would begin, with Helen carrying much of the weight. She would regale her audience with humorous tales of Tom (some taller than others), or of her children, grandchildren and even great, great grandchildren along with some of the colorful characters who seemed drawn to Helen like moths to a flame. Nevada Helen Severn was born December 31, 1923 to Ada Fanning and Andrew Thompson in Chicota, Texas. And she was born into a large family at that with siblings, Dexter, Lee, Charles, Newman, Avis, Stanley, Dan and the one and only Inez Sanders. She married Hershel “Dude” Severn in April of 1940. They then set about to starting their own rather large family adding four children of their own: Ladean Severn Kidwell, Glenda Gayle Estes, H. Ray Severn and Robert Wayne Severn. Then came the grandchildren: Rachel Edwards, Curtis Kidwell, Tammie Edwards Kleinmann, Robin Kidwell, Kerry Severn and Stephen Severn. Ten great grandchildren: Nicholas Kidwell, Jordan Husman, Amanda Husman, Sydney Kleinmann, Sophia Severn, Mason Severn, Sydney Faith Severn, Griffin Severn, Jaxon Severn, Juliet Severn and two great, great grandchildren—Patience Husman and Presley Dawn Husman. A proud member of the Tom Baptist Church for 32 years, Helen had a heart as big as Texas. She worked the night shift as a care provider in a skilled care nursing home for many, many years. She was a voracious reader, avid at cake decoration, and not only faithful to her bible, but just as faithful to her family and friends, whom she loved to visit all the time. A sunny and happy presence always, Helen never uttered a bad word about anyone. Instead she’d change the subject by saying, “let’s talk about the weather.” Oh yes, Helen had a wonderful way with words. A person wasn’t lazy, they simply “couldn’t lick at a snake if it was coming for them.” A person didn’t make a mess, but rather “just tore up Jake.” And if you were a good worker with a good work ethic (something Helen believed in with all her heart) you were “packing the mail.” Never one to judge another person, Helen always believed if she could be good enough in life she could get the people she loved into heaven. Well, Helen, we know you did your part by living a wonderful, kind, faithful, loving, full life. Heaven just received a most precious angel.