Helen Kate Guynes, 95, of Cleveland and formerly of Winnie, died Monday, June 10, 2013, at her residence. On April 29, 1918, a beautiful baby girl named Helen Kate was born in Marion, Louisiana, to Ethel White Platt Baxter and Robert Baxter.

In 1936, she graduated from Marion High School and since jobs were not available in her parish, Helen moved to Monroe to stay with some friends and work at a restaurant there. She moved to  Collenston and worked there until March of 1937, when a friend who was working in High Island, invited her to come and work there.

In July 1938, Helen met a tall handsome man named Almon Guynes.  They had their first date on July 8, 1938, and on September 8, 1938, she took Al to meet her parents in Marion. They became engaged shortly afterwards and Helen continued to work in High Island for $10.00 a week plus room and board on December 3rd she left to go back home to Louisiana to prepare for their wedding day on December 23, 1938.

Helen gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Gelynn on December 9, 1940; on September 16, 1950, her handsome little son, Almon Larry, was born; and three years later on May 4, 1953, another beautiful baby girl, Cynthia Helen was born.

Helen was a homemaker who loved to cook and bake for family, friends and for church functions. In November 1968, she went to work at Perry Brothers Store in Winnie. By this time, Gelynn was married, Larry was a senior in high school and Cindy was a sophomore. She retired from Perry’s on June 1, 1983, and later took a part-time job at First United Methodist Church of Winnie-Stowell, working two days a week before retiring again after four years. 

Helen and Al had lived in Stowell since 1941 and were charter members of First United Methodist Church of Winnie-Stowell since 1947. 

She is survived by her daughter, Gelynn Essery of Cleveland; seven grandchildren, Keith Burris and his wife, Debra; Sheila Pullin and her husband, Tim; Angie Burris; Pam Jackson; Jarad Guynes and his wife, Megan; Katie Guynes; and Megan Guynes Jonasson and her husband, Aren; seven great–grandchildren, Ryan Burris, Ashley Burris Antee and her husband, Collin; Tyler Burris, Natalie Pullin, Jessica Pullin, Mia Jonasson and Calab Jonasson; brother, Dewitt Platt and his wife, Dixie of Sarasota, Florida; and numerous family and friends.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of sixty-seven and a half years, Al Guynes; son, Larry; and daughter, Cynthia.

A gathering of Helen’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 14, 2013, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. Mrs. Guynes funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, of Winnie-Stowell, 1708 State Highway 124, Winnie, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery to follow.