Helen Martha Bunch

Helen Martha Bunch, age 85, of Amarillo, TX, peacefully passed away with her daughters by her side on April 21, 2026.

A memorial service for Helen will be conducted by Pastor Bill Gehm of Grace Church on April 28, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the activity room of Winwood Village, 4421 Ridgecrest Circle, Amarillo, where she spent her last 20 years.

Helen was born on July 29, 1940, to Leslie Alfonso Lane and Mamie Martha Lilly, in Elizabeth City N.C. where she attended school and spent her early years among a large family with 5 brothers and 5 sisters, grandparents, many aunts, uncles and cousins.

After marrying and subsequently widowed with a baby, she met and married a Coast Guardsman from CA who was stationed at Base Elizabeth City. After having one child together in 1961, the newly formed family of four moved cross country to San Gabriel, CA. Here Helen dedicated herself to being a wife and mother. During these years, she became an accomplished seamstress often making her own as well as her daughters’ clothing. After moving to a new home in Riverside, CA, she designed and fabricated the window treatments for it. Her creativity and attention to detail were unparalleled.

Later, as a divorce’ and single mother, she began a career in retail sales, working in the finest departments stores of the day, again utilizing her creativity, love for fashion, and attention to detail. After several years, she relocated to Amarillo, TX, but eventually returned to Elizabeth City to be near her mother and siblings. During most of these years, she continued in various roles in retail. After the passing of her mother and advancing in years, she returned to Amarillo to be near a daughter. Helen lived life on her own terms and was fiercely independent. She was quick-witted and wasn’t shy about letting you know what was on her mind. Her few carefully chosen friends knew her to be honorable, adventurous, fiercely loyal, and generous with her time and resources.

Helen is survived by sisters, Nellie Lane Bray, husband Billy, and Ann Seaberg, both of Elizabeth City, NC; daughters, Martha Arce, Riverside, CA and Camille Heider, husband, Mike, Amarillo, TX; grandchildren, Justin Wright, Sarah Stager, Rebekah Jacobsmeyer, Shaun Sconyers, Amanda Buranakitipinyo and Anthony Heider; 13 great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Zoey, who provided unconditional love and companionship.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Mamie; brothers, Cecil Ray, who died at birth, Leslie, Roger, J.C., Grant, and Tommy Lane; and sisters, Lessie Mae and Ruby; and great grandson Nathaniel Solomon Stager.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Helen’s aide, Jannifer Smith, of Caprock Home Health, who provided a helping hand with whatever was needed and most of all her love and friendship. As well as to the nurses and techs at BSA Hospital, who ensured their mother and GiGi was comfortable in her final days and Hospice of the Southwest for their compassionate care for them and Helen.