Helen Houston

Helen Jean Brooks Royal Houston, was born December 3, 1952 in Hobbs, New Mexico, to Ben and Verlene Brooks. She departed this life on January 5, 2022, at the Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital.

Helen graduated from Hobbs High School in 1969. After graduation she was married and had six children. Helen lived and worked in many places though out her life, but she always returned to her beloved Hobbs where at the time of her death she was employed in the Human Resource Administrator office at Hobbs High school.

Helen was a mover and a shaker; she was a community activist always striving for a positive vision for her community at large. She served as Executive Director of the first African American Chamber of Commerce in Hobbs, New Mexico.

She organized the Free Entrepreneur Expo bringing Speakers from as far away as Washington, DC to the Hobbs event culminating in a banquet held at the Zia Park Casino.

Helen was responsible for obtaining the 501(3)c for the Chamber and became affiliated with the National Black Chamber in Washington DC and was selected to serve on the National Board.

Helen was a regular contributor to the Hobbs-News Sun, and served as an advisory board

member of the New Mexico office of African American Affairs under the leadership of Yvette K. Bell.

Helen contributed to multiple charities throughout Hobbs to include the first “Pink Ball “centered around breast cancer awareness.

Helen would ensure that Hobbs was represented at every opportunity whether at the Black Expo in Albuquerque or the Black Chamber convention as far away as Chicago, IL or beyond.

Helen Jean never forgot her family, whether hosting family or visiting family all over America, she was always creative in making time for her brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren

Helen is Survived by six Children, Carrallyn Lanette Mitchell, Poetry Royall III, Lashelia Diane Alexander(William), Benjamin James Royal(Rebecca), Julian Jay Demikko Royal, & Sexton Richard Terrell Royal.

She was also survived by her parents Ben and Verlene Brooks, five brothers and two sisters. Frankie Lee Brooks(Darla), Ronnie Brooks(Julie), Sharonde Brooks-Swain(Robert), Calvin

Brooks Ricky Brooks(Jackie) and Dorenda Lavaughn(Fred) . A host of grandchildren, great Grandchildren, aunts, uncle nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Helen was preceded in death by three siblings, Diane Brooks, Lewis Brooks and Bennie Jo Brooks

Please send all charitable donations to Justice House @

https://justicehouse.org