Helen Marie Rook Lock Nelson

Helen Marie Rook Lock Nelson passed away Thursday, November 3, 2023 at her home.

A viewing for Helen will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, November 10, 2023, at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. The First Baptist Church will host the Funeral Service at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 11, 2023, with Robert Holcomb officiating. Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with Helen’s first husband. The service will be live-streamed on the LaGrone Funeral Chapel website.

Helen was born March 17, 1926, in Vevay, Indiana to Bessie and James Rook. She completed school, attended church, had a singing group and worked as a waitress growing up in Vevay. After high school, Helen went to work at the shoe factory and then the post office. She met and later married Leon Lock on January 9, 1946.

Helen and Leon lived, worked and farmed outside Vevay. They had three sons during that time, James Elbert Lock, June 11, 1949; David Leon Lock, June 3, 1952; and Shawn Robert Lock, February 9, 1954. Leon transferred to White Sands Missile Range and the family moved to Carrizozo, New Mexico, in June 1959.

Helen worked at the Carrizozo Municipal Schools until her retirement.  Her last position was bookkeeper for the school district.  She then consulted for several school districts throughout the state.

The family attended First Baptist Church Carrizozo. Helen sang in the choir and eventually became the church’s song leader. She sang in a trio with Virginia Curtis and Joan Means and performed many specials in the church and for other churches.

They moved from Carrizozo to Roswell because of Leon’s medical condition, of which he passed. Helen was active in First Baptist Roswell where she met and remarried Darwin Alden Nelson, March 17, 2000. Darwin and Helen lovingly lived, traveled and took care of each other for twenty-three years.

Those left to cherish Helen’s memory is her husband, Darwin Alden Nelson; her son, James Elbert Lock and wife Janice Lynn of Fort Worth, Texas, their son Vance and Kayla Lock, grandchildren, Ashton, Micah Makenzie, and Faith; their daughter, Lynn Grego and husband Eddie of Arlington, Texas, granddaughter Reagan Putnam. Son, David Leon Lock and wife Nancy Lee of Roswell, NM, their son Kyle David and daughter Leslie Alaine Acevedo and husband Daniel: children, Campbell and Hallie. Son, Shawn Robert Lock of Macon, Georgia, children Jarrod Lock and wife Rachel, children, Colton and Jett; son Chase Lock and wife Kahlil. Stepchildren, Lucas and Jenson Bowden.

Helen was a loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. She will be missed by her family greatly.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made in honor of Helen to: Baptist Children’s Home, 2200 S. Avenue I, Portales, NM 88130, nmbch.com.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Hospice, for their professional, caring help with Helen.