Helen Shelton Abram
Helen Frances Shelton Abram passed away peacefully at home, January 16, 2023, after a vigorous and productive life. Born July 26, 1925, in Lawton, OK, Helen attended Cameron University, a business major, and also held a diploma in architecture/interior design from the School of Fine Arts, in Dallas.
Helen was deeply committed to her faith and showed she was a true child of God in heart, spirit, and life’s work. Helen shared the true meaning of unconditional love with all her family and friends, and every smile radiated this feeling.
She was affectionately known as “Maw-Maw” to her family and friends, as she was named by her first grandchild, Amber Harris.
Helen was secretary for the Department of Post Transportation in Fort Sill Oklahoma, where she met and married her sons biological father, Lt. John Liland (deceased). After they left Purdue University, she joined Graver Tank Corp as assistant advertising manager in Chicago, Indiana. Helen left there to become a sports caption writer for the Chicago Herald Tribune in downtown Chicago. In 1950, Helen and her family moved to Dallas. She worked in management areas for Nardis of Dallas Couture Sportswear and Parkland of Dallas Sportswear. Helen held a Texas real estate brokers license and was a leader on the Oak Cliff real estate board. Helen’s last venture, where she stayed for over 42 years, was founding Mockingbird Lane Florist and later Mockingbird Bridal. Both stores are still run by family members.
She was president of South Oak Cliff Business and Professional Women Club, an alumni of Alpha Delta Phi and awarded the American Business Woman’s Association “Boss of the Year”. Helen received the Dallas International Apparel Mart’s R.O.S.E. award for the Southwest division states and was a member of the Order of Rebekah Lodge.
Helen was a member of Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church over 40 years where she has chaired and served on numerous committees. She loved the United Methodist Women’s Organization and served as president for her local unit and also served at the district level.
She married J.M. Shelton, Jr. on April 21, 1964 and they were married 45 years when J.M. passed away on August 4, 2009. On April 11, 2014, Helen married Tom Abram.
Helen was preceded in death by her infant son, Billy Liland; husband, J.M. Shelton, Jr. and parents, Delbert and Bertie Shrum.
Helen is survived by husband, Tom Abram; sons, John L. Liland, wife, Brenda Liland and Dr. David Liland and Cole; stepdaughter, Shirley Hedlund; grandchildren, Amber Liland Harris, Ashley Liland Pappas, Olivia Liland Layfield and Davidson Liland. She has 18 beautiful great grandchildren, which she adored immensely. Helen is also survived by her sister, Billie Jo Wyrick and nephew, Steve Wyrick.
