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Helen Beatrice Parker Bandeen, 90, of Huntsville, Arkansas, died August 11, 2012 at her home. She was born October 25, 1921 at her grandparents' home in Hindsville, Arkansas. She was the daughter of Alfred Lee and Beulah Harris Parker. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-eight years, James F. Bandeen on December 1, 2004; her brother, Harold Harris Parker; her sister, Mary Lee Parker Zarini and her son-in-law, Ellis N. "Ben" Bennett, Jr. She was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Huntsville State Vocational School in 1939. After her sister graduated in 1942, they went to Glendale, California where they worked in the Lockheed Vega aircraft plant. She was an assembler, which she said was a higher level than a riveter. James F. Bandeen was also stationed in California and they renewed their acquaintance there. They were married at the home of her husband's parents in Hindsville in October of 1946. Helen was very active in the PTA at Hindsville and was a long-time member and officer of the American Legion Auxiliary of Hayes-Smith Post #137 at Huntsville. She and her husband were both very active in volunteer work at the VA Hospitial in Fayetteville for many years, where she logged 3,750 hours. She was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. Helen loved big-band music and had many fond memories of attending music shows in California. She would request the tickets, which were free for the price of a stamp and a return stamped envelope and at the same time she would send a letter to her parents in Goshen, Arkansas so they could listen to the performance that Helen and her sister attended. She said that their parents would send ration coupons for shoes to them and they would send ration coupons for sugar back home to their parents, who lived on a farm. Because there were shortages during the war, she said that anytime they saw a line, they would get in the line and get whatever it was because someone would have use for it. Survivors include three children, Barbara Bennett of San Antonio, Texas, James Bandeen of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Mary Watson of Springdale, Arkansas; four grandchildren, SFC David C. Hausam and wife Virginia of Copperas Cove, Texas, Kristin Watson of New Orleans, Louisiana, Kent Watson of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Kara Watson Treat of Springdale, Arkansas and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P. M. Tuesday, August 14, in the chapel of Brashears Funeral Home with The Reverend Georgia Senor officiating. Graveside services will follow at the Hindsville Cemetery under the direction of Brashears Funeral Home www.brashearsfuneralhome.net of Huntsville, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be: Frank Fitch, Charles Linebarger, Frankie Fitch, A. T. Smith, Bill Smith, Jerry Runner-Smith, Paul James Smith, Jr. and Jim Vaughan. The family will receive friends from 5:00 P. M. to 7:00 P. M. on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Hindsville Cemetery in care of A. T. Smith or the Hindsville Fire Department in care of Jim Vaughan.

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Helen Beatrice Bandeen

October 25, 1921 - August 11, 2012