Helen Noveta Gross

Helen Noveta Gross of Amarillo, Texas passed away on September 15, 2023.  She was surrounded by loved ones at the time she passed.

Noveta was born on February 5, 1931, to William A. and Barbara Ella Harris, in Johnston County, Oklahoma.  After graduation, she went on to study education at East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.  She landed her first teaching job in Seminole, Texas where she taught second grade.  She went on to teach second grade in Big Spring, Texas and finally, she taught in Amarillo, Texas, where she ended her exceptional career in education.

During her time in Seminole, she met the love of her life, Paul E. Gross, and they wed in 1955 at the Methodist Church in Ada, Oklahoma.  They went on to have four children, Greg, Gina, Sherri, and Lisa.

Noveta always had a strong sense of family and when she had her first child, Greg, she decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother.  She excelled at encouraging and supporting her children.  Whether that was supporting her children through difficulties or supporting their dreams and aspirations.  Noveta had a fierce love for her family, and she excelled at motherhood and was the foundation for our family through and through.  She was always a support, always knew the right thing to say, and never missed a special date.  She loved education and supported all her children and grandchildren through college and on to graduate degrees.  She supported and encouraged all her children in their aspirations and dreams.

Noveta loved music and was a wonderful musician and when she wasn’t filling her home with warmth, kindness, and lots of good food, she could be found playing the piano for herself, or with her family gathered around singing carols.  We will miss her greatly.

Noveta was predeceased by her parents, William and Barbara, by her sister Lorene, her brothers, James, Glen, Weldon, Holmes, Leroy, and by her daughter Sherri.  She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Paul Gross, two sisters, Nina Worthington and Oda Harris, and by many nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her children Greg Gross, Gina Herd, and Lisa Barbour.  Survivors also include her In-laws Jeff Herd, Tod Barbour, Dudley (Kenney) Reynolds, and Gordon Gern.  Grandchildren, Jenna Bass (Aaron Bass), Tyler Herd (Kelsey Baker), Kayli Simon (Justin Simon), Christine Reynolds (Weston Brown), Cooper Barbour, Payton Barbour, and Keldon Barbour and nine wonderful great-grandchildren.