Helen Croft

FUNERAL SERVICES:  10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 4, 2014, at First United Methodist Church of Comanche. BURIAL:  Proctor Cemetery in Comanche County. VISITATION:  Family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday, October 3, 2014, at Comanche Funeral Home. LUNCH:  Lunch for the family will be at the Proctor Community Center following the funeral services.   Born September 9, 1929, in Duffau, Texas, (Mary) Helen Hollis Croft, Postmaster Retired, passed away September 25, 2014, at the age of 85. Helen spent much of her childhood growing up in the Hico area with her family. Helen and her mother moved to Grand Prairie during her high school years and she graduated from Grand Prairie High School. Helen met John Croft while both were attending Tarleton College and were married on September 4 th of 1948. John and Helen were longtime residents of the Proctor Community in Comanche County having. Helen was preceded in death by: her husband, John E. Croft; parents, S.T. and Maye Hollis; brother, Hector Hugh Hollis; and sister, Mayo Hollis Hobbs. She is survived by: her brother S. T. (Jack) Hollis of Sherman; son, Ritchie Croft (Judi) of Dallas; daughter, Vickie Croft Cate (Warren) of Proctor; daughter, Hollis Croft McCright (Joe) of Big Spring; daughter, Sarah Croft of San Antonio; and son, Carl Croft (Lara) of Dallas. She is also survived by: five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; nieces Judy Lightfoot (Keith) of Sherman and Barbara Hobbs Block (Mike) of Little Rock; and many, many dear friends associated with the:   Comanche and Proctor community area; Comanche United Methodist Church; National Association of US Postmasters; Texas Library Association, and her cat, Gus.   Helen Hollis Croft was an avid supporter of the Comanche Public Library, held numerous key leadership positions on the Comanche Library Board and was instrumental in forming the Comanche Public Library Foundation. Helen volunteered for over twenty-five years and served on the Big Country Library Council. Her wise leadership, encouragement, and practical approach to its business affairs were well known and admired throughout the Texas Library System. Helen also worked actively within the Texas Library Association, serving as Chair of the Friends and Trustees Round Table and the Awards Committee. In 1997, TLA honored her with the prestigious Outstanding Services to Libraries Award. In 2002, TLA celebrated one hundred years of existence by recognizing one hundred individuals who shaped the future of library services in the State of Texas. Helen Croft was named one of the 100 Library Champions of Texas, along with other noted Champion honorees such as, Laura Welch Bush, Former First Lady, and posthumously, Bob Bullock, former Lt. Governor, J. Frank Dobie, Texas author, and Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36 th President of the United States.   Helen Croft was appointed Postmaster of Proctor, Texas in 1954 during the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. She served the United States Postal Service in the Proctor and Lipan Communities as Postmaster for over 35 years, retiring in 1989. Additionally, Helen served as Officer in Charge on many occasions and trained numerous newly appointed postmasters, as requested by her Regional Level Superiors. Helen was an active member of the National Association of United States Postmaster during her employment and as a retiree. She served the NAPUS in many key leadership positions at the state and national levels. In six years, while serving as Chair of the TX NAPUS Political Action Committee and with the help of her fellow Texas Postmasters, she raised more funds than any of the other 49 states and US Territories. Helen received the Bronze Eagle Award for doing so in each of those six years. Helen also served as National NAPUS PAC Co-Chair. In 1998, she received the National NAPUS Member of the Year and in 2001 was honored with the NAPUS Lifetime Achievement Award.