"LOGAN, UTAH - Helen Ruth Ladyman Flint ended her Earthly life's story in Logan, Utah, the night of July 8, 2009, at exactly the same hour she was born. Helen's story began on a stormy November 7 in 1921 in Detroit, Texas. A country doctor sat hunched down on his horse in the driving rain staring at a swollen rushing stream. He urged the horse forward into the stream for he was needed at the home of James Edward and Kathleen Fry Ladyman. A baby was on the way. As the horse struggled against the current the physician clung to his medical bag with one hand and his horse with the other. A fierce gust of wind tore off his brand new Stetson hat. He caught a last glimpse of it as it sailed down the churning stream. Soaked and shivering, he arrived at the Ladyman farm to welcome Helen Ruth into the world. As long as he lived he never let her forget she cost him a brand new Stetson hat. It was their own special joke. Helen loved growing up on the family farm surrounded by loving relatives: her parents, siblings, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles. They may not have had a lot of money, but her father was an excellent farmer. The family was well fed with what he raised and grew. Helen was an active and athletic child. Her brother, James, was two years older than she was, but she was always determined to keep up with him and not let him get the best of her. She says to tell James she finally won one race, but she'll save a place for him in Heaven. Reading and memorizing and reciting poetry were some of Helen's favorite things to do, and she was a top student all through school. She graduated at the top of her class in high school, and was also the Red River County Tennis Champion. Later in life she loved crossword puzzles, bird watching, collecting antiques, gardening, and shopping for her grandchildren. Her gorgeous flowers won many awards at local garden shows. Helen was also a very talented artist, and the walls of her home were decorated with some of her beautiful paintings framed in antique frames. During World War II, Helen went to live with her aunt in Arkansas. She found work on an air force base in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, and there she met the love of her life, Capt. Cecil Ray (Rocky) Flint. They were married on April 9, 1944, and have spent sixty-five wonderful years together. Rocky's decision to be a career officer took the two of them to many interesting places. Helen was the consummate air force wife: always supporting her husband and taking excellent care of the family and home during his absence. She was beautiful and poised and was asked by many department stores and the local country clubs to model the latest styles in fashion shows. When her husband retired in 1977 they settled in Medford, Oregon, and spent thirty-one years enjoying the beautiful Rogue Valley. Helen and Rocky loved to fish. They caught salmon in the Pacific Ocean and trout in the rivers and lakes. In July of 2008, Helen and Rocky moved to the home of their daughter, Jan Parent and her husband, Mike, in River Heights, Utah. Helen loved the magnificent mountains, being close to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, the dog (Max), and the cockatiel (Uncle Sam). In May of 2009 she and Rocky moved to Terrace Grove and have made many new friends there. She was preceded in death by her parents, James E. and Kathleen Fry Ladyman; a step brother, Van Ladyman; a step sister, Loraine Castro; and an infant son, Donald Flint. She is survived by her husband, Rocky Flint; daughter, Jan (Mike) Parent; son, James D. (Jean) Isabell; brother, James (Mary Lindon) Ladyman; five grandchildren: Jimmy Jeff, Shana, Robin, and Ian; and five great grandchildren: Morgan, Connor, James, Kathleen, and Landon. The family would like to thank all those who helped Helen during her illness: Sunshine Terrace Rehabilitation Wing 6 and 3, Logan Regional Hospital staff, Dr. David Faux and staff, Cache Valley Cancer Center: Dr. Ben-Jacob and staff, Terrace Grove staff, and IHC Hospice Care staff. Your contributions helped comfort her and her family greatly. Internment will be at Eagle Point Veterans' Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon."
Obituary