Helen Julia Bauman Kuykendall, at the age of 92, passed away peacefully on November 28th 2009 in Llano, Texas, surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born in Valley Spring, Texas on August 12, 1917 to August Julius (A.J.) Bauman and Ella Goodman Bauman. She had one sister, Anna Louise Bauman, and one brother, Douglas Julius Bauman.

After graduating from Cherokee High School in 1934, Helen attended the University of Texas in Austin where she studied in business. Helen was married on January 6, 1938 to Randall Gray "Smokey" Kuykendall and they raised three children together, Graylene Julia, Randall Julius and Eula Louise. They made their home together in Valley Spring where she resided until her passing.

Helen grew up ranching and made that her profession, working hard, never complaining and doing what she loved. As a young woman she was an avid barrel racer and involved with the Girls Rodeo Association which formed in 1948. Helen was a supporter of 4-H, the Livestock Raisers Association and lifelong member of the Valley Spring Methodist Church.

Surviving family members include one son, Randall Julius Kuykendall and his wife, Sara of Valley Spring; three grandchildren, Kippi Kenney, Keith Shaffer and his wife, Gina; Ken Shaffer and his wife, Kathy; all of Valley Spring along with six treasured great-grandchildren, Scott, Alyson, Sterlin, Heather, Garrett and Steele.

Proceeding her in death were her parents, husband R.G."Smokey"Kuykendall; two daughters, Louise Kuykendall and Graylene Owens; one sister, Ann Hillman and one brother, Douglas Bauman .

Funeral services were held at the Waldrope Hatfield Hawthorne Funeral home in Llano, Tx. on December 1, 2009 at 2:00pm. Memorials can be made on her behalf to a charity of their choice.

E-mail condolences may be sent to whhfuneral1@verizon.net or you may log onto our website, www.whhfuneralhome.com for online condolences.