Jerry Gwendolyn (Gaudet) Helbig

Mrs. Jerry Gwendolyn Gaudet Helbig, affectionately known as “Mimi,” passed away on August 27, 2026 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Although she relocated to Little Rock in 2021, Mimi’s heart remained true to the Lone Star State, and she was forever a Texas girl. 

She was born on June 19, 1934, in Tyler, Texas, to the late Frenchie and Imogene Shaw Gaudet. Mimi grew up at her family’s lumber mill and sawmill, Gaudet Lumber, in New London, Texas. She graduated from London High School and earned a degree in elementary education from the University of North Texas in 1956. After graduation, she moved to Mineral Wells, Texas, where she taught third grade. There, she met the love of her life, Ted Helbig. They were married for more than 25 years and remained close friends for the rest of their lives. Together, they built Tri-K Enterprises, a real estate and oil-and-gas business. Mimi considered herself the “sous chef,” quietly managing the critical behind-the-scenes work that kept their many projects and holdings running. Her greatest passion, however, was her family—her three children, Kimberly, Kyle, and Kurt, affectionately known as the “Three K’s.” 

Mimi was also an avid gardener who loved the feel of the earth in her hands. She was a member of the East Texas Daylily Society and the Kathryn Speas Garden Club in Tyler, Texas, the community she called home for more than seven decades. She was active in many civic and cultural organizations in Tyler.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Whitney Roland Gaudet of Overton, Texas, and her former husband, Ted Helbig of Tyler, Texas. Survivors include her children, Kimberly and Raymond Battle of Little Rock, Arkansas; Kyle Helbig of Overton, Texas; and Kurt and Angela Helbig of Boulder, Colorado. Her grandchildren also survive her: Bennett Battle (Laura) of Bentonville, Arkansas; Bryson Battle (Chandler Crawley) of Dallas, Texas; Bailey Battle (Matt Terry) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Aubrey and Abigail Helbig of Boulder, Colorado; as well as her great-grandchildren, Dylan, Blair, and Parker Battle of Dallas, Texas, and Zadie Battle of Bentonville, Arkansas.

Mimi never met a stranger and was blessed by the love of many dear, lifelong friends.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the New London Museum, P.O. Box 477, New London, TX 75682.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 2 Innwood Circle, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72211. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com