Palestine High School Alumni Association

07 / 21 / 1940  –  02 / 25 / 2012

Jeri LaRuth Campos, 71, of Lorena, passed away Tuesday Feb. 21, 2012 at a local hospital. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m.  Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Waco with Pastor Jim Martin officiating. A second funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Crockett Road Church of Christ in Palestine with Pastor Dan Manuel officiating. Interment will follow at Larissa Cemetery in Cherokee County, Texas.  Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2012 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Waco.

Jeri was born on July 21, 1940 in Lamesa, Texas to A.E. and LaRuth Helstrom. She graduated from her hometown school, Palestine High, and after attending Tyler Junior College on a voice scholarship, Jeri continued her education at San Diego State University where she earned a bachelor degree in education and was the secretary to the first federal U.S. Magistrate of America. It was also there that she met and fell in love with her husband, Ralph. They were married in 1973 and even made an appearance on the original Newlywed Game and the Anniversary Newlywed Game televised with Bob Eubanks in Hollywood, Calif. She began her teaching career at Bonsall Elementary School in Bonsall, Calif.  In 1990 she and her family moved to Lorena where she continued her love of education. She was a remarkable teacher and mentor who touched the lives of countless students.

Jeri loved music, Polynesian dancing, and teaching but more importantly, she loved making a difference in peoples lives. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, open ear, and giving heart. She was a loving and compassionate teacher, wife, mother, and friend and will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, A.E. “Chief” Helstrom; her mother, LaRuth McGregor Helstrom; several close cousins and very dear friends.

Jeri is survived by her husband of 38 years, Ralph L. Campos of Lorena; her daughter, Aimee Campos of Plano; and son, Chris Campos of Waco; her in-laws, Ralph H. Campos and Frances Campos of Chula Vista, Calif.; her sisters, Patricia Hillman of Rusk and LaRae Helstrom of Berryville; and multiple nieces, nephews and extended family and friends

For those unable to attend, the service will be broadcast live at www.gracegardensfh.com. Then click on the Video Services tab.

The family invites you to leave memories and messages at www.gracegardensfh.com