MARY HELEN JONES BRANNON

Mary Helen Brannon passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary Helen Jones was born on December 9,1929 in the family farmhouse in Oletha, Texas. After graduating high school in Groesbeck, she attended Texas Tech and then transferred to SMU. After graduating she stayed in Dallas and just a few years later in 1950, Helen met the love of her life, Mark J, Brannon, Jr on a blind date. Mark told a story at his 100th birthday party that he did not know Helen’s age until after they were engaged and to his surprise, he was almost 13 years her senior. Helen and Mark were meant to be together and not long after meeting, they married in 1951. They went on to build an incredible life together, enjoying 68 incredible years of marriage.

After their wedding, Helen worked many years alongside Mark developing numerous oil and gas companies, primarily drilling wells in Texas and New Mexico. In 1959, Helen and Mark moved their family to Fort Worth, Texas. It became home. Helen was active in multiple philanthropies and of course the church, most importantly the Women’s Circle of St Andrews Catholic Church. Helen was still living in the same house her and Mark built when they moved to Fort Worth in 1959.

Helen was always adventurous and Mark encouraged that in her. Their 68 years together were not only filled with building businesses together but also with traveling the world. Helen proceeded to get her pilot’s license in 1959 when they moved to Fort Worth. She loved to elk hunt on horseback and was an avid fisherman. Along with the safaris in Africa, their favorite place they travelled together was India. While Helen loved to travel, she loved being at home with her family as well. She was the one who always kept the family together and upheld traditions. The memories with Helen in Oletha and at her home in Fort Worth will be cherished forever.

Helen was not only a role model for her three boys but also her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will miss her tremendously. Helen’s generosity and heart made an impact on countless individuals outside of her family. It goes without saying, Helen will be incredibly missed by many. She will remain in her family’s hearts and thoughts forever.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Mark J. Brannon, Jr., and brother Jack D. Jones, along with many of Mark’s brothers and sisters who Helen considered family.

Helen is survived by her loving sons, Mark J. Brannon III (Ricki), Jack D. Brannon (Mara), and Richard “Dick” Brannon (Liz); grandchildren, Carrie Singer (Andy), Mark J. “Joe” Brannon IV (Kylie), Brittany Hasselbach (Kris), Richard D. Brannon Jr. (Lauren), Devlin Kruse (Pete), and Kyle Brannon; great-grandchildren, Mark J. Brannon V, Zachary Singer, Logan Singer, Griffin Brannon, Eloise Brannon, and Lucy Brannon; cousin, Bobbie Peltier; and goddaughter, Susie Etier, along with numerous nieces and nephews. The family would also like to acknowledge and say thank you to all of the women who have helped to take care of Mark and Helen along the way, you are all family and we are could not be more thankful for you all.

Family and friends will gather from 5 to 7 pm Tuesday, April 28, in the Chapel at Harper & Lucas, formerly Robertson Mueller Harper, with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am Wednesday, April 29, at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, 3312 Dryden Road, with interment to follow in Greenwood Memorial Park. For those who do not wish to attend the burial and for those that would like to visit with the family, the reception will begin at 2 pm at Rivercrest Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helen’s honor to the Helen and Mark J. Brannon, Jr. Endowed Scholarship in Petroleum Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, Cockrell School of Engineering, 301 E. Dean Keeton St. Austin, Texas 78712.