Her Earthly Journey to Her Heavenly Jerusalem

" I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."

2 Timothy 4:7

Helen May (Collins) Lavan was born May 25, 1930 in Elton, LA to the late Xavier & Cecelia (Guillory) Collins. She met and married her husband, Clifton "Shutty" Lavan, the love of her life, on February 8, 1948. Later the couple moved to Lake Charles, where they lived the rest of their lives. Helen worked as a Kindergarten Teacher for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, she worked for the Gulf Assistance Program (GAP) and later as a Cafeteria Manager for Calcasieu Parish School Board at John F. Kennedy Elementary School, where she retired.

Helen was a devout and traditional Catholic who was a pioneer member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She was involved with the Parish for over 50 years. She was a member of KPC 4th Degree Ladies of Grace, KPC 3rd Degree Ladies Auxiliary, and Christian Mothers. She spent and volunteered many, many hours to the church and loved every minute of it.

Helen completed her earthly journey at age 88 on Monday, July 2, 2018, in a local hospital.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton Lavan, her parents, Xavier & Cecelia (Guillory) Collins, her sisters & brothers, Viola (Collins) Guillory, Beanna (Collins) Lewis, Roy Collins, Harry Collins Sr., Theresa Collins, and Ray Collins.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories, her brother: Herbert (Betty) Collins; her sisters: Josephine Ballou and Ruby Ceasar; a host of nieces and nephews and a host of great(s) as well; her brother-in-law, Willard "Black" Lavan; and many friends and Church family.