Helen Barajas Kilgore Woodfin August 21, 1932 - August 25, 2026

Helen Barajas Kilgore Woodfin, 94, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2026, in Ruidoso surrounded by the love of her family.

Helen was born on August 21, 1932, in Dewey, Oklahoma, and raised in Ruidoso, New Mexico, where she was known as a "little momma" to her younger siblings - a role of quiet strength and care that would define the rest of her life. She graduated from Ruidoso High School in 1951, where she was a student leader, cheerleader and was crowned Football Queen her senior year.

Helen married John D. Kilgore, and their life together carried them across the world - from Arizona to a home near Washington, D.C., and on to Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama. She had a deep love of travel and adventure, and among her favorite memories were trips to Quito, Ecuador; Hawaii; and fishing in Alaska with her second husband, Aaron "Woody" Woodfin. Her travels also took her to Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Scotland, England, and Canada. Along the way, she had the memorable experiences of meeting Betty Ford, Barry Goldwater, and Senator Claude Pepper. Her house is full of the art and treasures she collected over her years of travel.

Helen was a talented gardener with a gift for making things grow and flourish, much like she did with the people around her. She was a soprano in the choir at First Christian Church, where she also served as a church leader for more than 40 years, a testament to her deep faith and devotion to her community. She loved a good game of cards and was especially fond of Mexican Train, always ready to gather friends and family around the table.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, John D. Kilgore (1978); her second husband, Aaron "Woody" Woodfin (2016); and her granddaughter, Meagan Elizabeth Kilgore (2023).

She is survived by her three children: Theresa Lynn Kilgore (Bruce L. Rieger), Jean K. Givens (William E. Givens), and John Douglas Kilgore (Tanya G. Kilgore); her grandchildren: Joseph D. Porter, Ann Marie Estrada (Nathaniel Estrada), Jonathan Douglas Kilgore (Briana G. Craig), Jennifer L. Kelly, Muji Rieger, and Benjamin M. Rieger (Brittany Rieger); her greatgrandchildren: Adam Rieger, Journey Kelly, Jaxon Kelly, Slater Estrada, Cyrus Rieger, Jocelyn Porter, and Cora Porter; her brother, Johnny Barajas; and her sisters, Theresia Trotter and Judy Willingham.

Helen was an inspiration to everyone who knew her - a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend whose warmth, faith, and adventurous spirit touched every life she came in contact with. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at First Christian Church in Ruidoso. Interment will follow at Forrest Lawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Helen's memory to First Christian Church in Ruidoso, New Mexico.