Brenda Maye Wilkinson Hellums, 79, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend of so many passed away December 18, 2023 with her family by her side.
Brenda was born March 19, 1944 in Austin, Texas to Loraine and Chula Wilkinson. She grew up in Devine and was proud of her Devine roots. She graduated from Devine High School where she was the head cheerleader, class favorite, most athletic and won Devine’s only state basketball championship by making the winning shot. She worked over 30 years at the Devine Intermediate School. She absolutely loved the children and those with whom she worked. She was the biggest fan of her children and grandchildren in all their activities. Brenda loved life to the fullest.
She was a proud member of Devine First Baptist Church.
Surviving Brenda are her children Jimmy Hellums, Kelly Runyan (Paul), Michael Hellums (Rhonda) and Will Hellums (Miranda), her grandchildren, Loraine, Gehrig, Megan, Brooke, Aidan, and Cameron. She is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy Ward, Gary Wilkinson (Sonya), Kathy Schneider (Don), Jim Wilkinson (Patsy), Ray Wilkinson (Rosie) and Sandy Beck (Jerry), and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Westbrook Chula and Loraine Wilkinson, son William “Billy” Marvin Hellums, Jr.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Primrose Funeral Services Chapel Devine, Texas. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023, 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Devine with interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Gehrig Runyan, Aidan Hildenbrand, Onofre Herrera, Lewis Stroud, Scott Sostarich, Blain Martin.
Hellums made the “winning shot” of the 1961-62 Arabian Basketball team’s State Championship over Tulia 38-37.
So in memory of Brenda Hellums, contributions in the form of cash, personal check, money order, or cashiers check made payable to “The Winning Shot” will be accepted at any Security State Bank branch. The Winning Shot will be a memorial scholarship for an exceptional Arabian athlete/cheerleader at Devine HS.
Anyone wishing to leave condolences, share memories, or sign the online guestbook may do so by visiting www.primrosefuneralservices.com Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Services, 303 W. College Ave., Devine, Texas, 78016, (830) 663-4445.