Helen Johnette (Childress) Kaluza

Helen Johnette (Childress) Kaluza, 97, of Tatum, Texas, passed away on November 27, 2022, in Tatum, Texas. She was born on October 6, 1925, in Comanche, Texas, to the late James Oliver and Iva Kathlene (Burt) Childress. A Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 pm Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Tennessee Community Presbyterian Church, Timpson, Texas, officiated by Robert Adamson. 

Helen grew up in Hico, Texas.  She graduated from Ball High School in Galveston, Texas. Helen then went on to St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Galveston. She graduated from nursing school on August 31, 1947. While in nursing school she was introduced to Arnold Kaluza by one of her friends and went dancing on their first date. They had a whirlwind romance and were married on July 19, 1947. They were married for 57 years at the time of his passing in 2004. Helen and Arnold raised a beautiful family and were blessed with 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren along the way. Her grandchildren all say Helen was known for making sure everyone was safe and had good posture.  She had a true care-giving spirit. Helen just wanted to make the world a better place and to leave a lasting legacy for her family. She was a true conservationist. She stayed active by taking care of the world around her. This included natural gardening and recycling and sometimes just making good use of some old bricks. Helen enjoyed thrift shopping with friends and family. She was known as Grandma Kaluza to many. Helen loved deeply, spoke her mind, and was known to be lovingly bossy. Helen loved the Lord and passed down that love to her family. She taught all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren “This Little Light of Mine”. She was an Elder of Tennessee Community Presbyterian Church. Helen’s greatest accomplishment was being an RN for 64 years, until the age of 86. Helen has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, and she has kept the faith. There is laid up for her the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, has given to her on that Day, and not to her only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Joanne Cooper and husband, Richard; grandchildren, Jessica Vestal, Saige Starnes and husband, Hadden, Nathan Kaluza and wife, Lynn, and Arnold Kaluza III and wife, Heather; and great-grandchildren, Cooper Vestal, Georgia Starnes, West Starnes, Brazos Starnes, Bethany Kaluza, Emma Kaluza, Alexander Kaluza, Allison Stewart, and William Kaluza; along with numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She has joined in heaven her husband, Arnold F. Kaluza, Sr.; parents, James and Iva Childress; son, Arnold F. Kaluza, Jr.; and daughter, Jenetta Kaluza.