Obituary of Helen Sinclair
Helen Frances Wilkins Sinclair (95) of Katy, Texas took Jesus by the hand and stepped into glory to be with the Lord on January 8, 2026 after suffering a stroke. She was more affectionately known as Gran and was the matriarch of the Holloway Sinclair clan and the mother of 5 boys.


Helen was born on March 14, 1930 in Haughton, LA to Elmer and Lola Wilkins. She grew up in northwest Louisiana and northeast Texas near the towns of Vivian, Rodessa, Oil City, LA and graduated high school in 1947 from McLeod, TX. She grew up during the Great Depression and World War II learning how to be frugal and a survivor during tough times. Immediately after high school she left home for Shreveport, LA to work as a teller in a bank. As a young single woman, she learned to compete in a male-dominated work environment of inequity which helped define her sense of justice and fair play. Very often, she barely had enough to eat from week to week. She lived near her married younger sister Betty and husband, George and would often go to church with them. She grew up going to church and could feel the Lord’s call on her life during this tough period of her life, but felt like something was missing. A defining moment in her relationship with the Lord came one evening on the way home from work when she saw a sign outside a church that contained the verse Matthew 6:33. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness……”. She took the words to heart and began to prioritize the things of God in her life. Soon after this time her brother, Don, who was home from Texas A&M had been trying to convince her to go to the YMCA for a dance and meet one of his schoolmates.


On a Saturday evening in May 1954, she went to a local square dance and her life would change forever. A young man walked into the room and had a big grin on his face. It was Holloway. They began to date and go to church together and by August it was clear they were meant for each other. During that summer, Holloway learned that Helen was struggling with her commitment to the Lord and at his encouragement, she fully gave her life to Christ. This decision transformed her into one of the fiercest prayer warriors her future family would one day need. They married on January 30, 1955 in Shreveport, LA. and would spend the next 66 years together raising the family with which God would bless them. Soon after their marriage, they moved to New Orleans and all five boys would be born there.


In April of 1956, the first of their 5 boys, Bryan Holloway was born. David followed in November of 1957, Mike in January 1959, and Paul in October 1960. By the time Paul arrived, they now had 4 boys - 4 years old and under. Their fifth boy arrived in April 1967 and the basketball team was now complete. Now an ordinary person would likely go crazy at this point, but not her. She would just make unusual requests such as “go get me a switch from the ligustrum bush”. If the switch didn’t work then the fly swatter was the discipline tool of choice. This Godly woman often modeled Jesus by showing the boys how he cleared the temple. She rightfully wielded this tool of discipline well into the boys’ teenage years. Getting her to laugh was the best way to settle her down. This was sometimes easier said than done. Between her and Holloway, they molded 5 unruly boys into Godly men. They moved to Houston in 1972 and finished raising their boys in the Sharpstown area. Then in 1994, Helen and Holloway relocated to Katy to be closer to family. They soon joined Kingsland Baptist Church and were active members of the Serendipity class and worked tirelessly with bed babies in the nursery.


Helen is best known for being a prayer warrior. Whether or not there was trouble in the family ranks, all of us knew we could depend on her being on her knees praying for our situation. She sought to honor God in all she said and did. She was strong-willed, opinionated, willing to literally fight for what was right and humble enough to seek forgiveness when wrong. She was a friend, story teller, counselor, confidant, and compassionate caregiver to many in the family and others. She was a real estate agent and even the neighborhood Avon Lady. She relished her role as the family matriarch by loving on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her heart was full and cup running over when family was present. She could throw a football and shoot a basketball. She was funny and was even known to change words to hymns and dance the “rubber leg” to entertain the family. She loved flowers and plants and refused to throw away anything that might have life and could be planted. She cooked in bulk and kept the refrigerator, pantry, and freezer fully stocked “just in case.” Spaghetti and meat sauce, “greaseballs,” noodles, and chicken and rice, powder milk, and rationed cokes kept the boys alive growing up. Later, key lime pie, cookies, ice cream, and diet cokes were always available to family, neighbors, and guests. Over the years, the family had pet dogs but within the past few years she fell in love with cats and has a pet cat named Minne Pearl. Who knew? The Lord is faithful and true and he honored her love and commitment for him with the last part of Matthew 6:33, “….and all these things will be added unto you”. She found out you can’t outgive God. She ran a good race and fought a good fight. As matriarch she has remained steadfast for our family and now lays down her earthly crown for the crown of life promised for those who love him. (James 1:12)


Helen is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Holloway, and her parents Elmer and Lola Wilkins. of Vivian, LA, two sisters Louise Long and Betty Dufour of Vivian and Shreveport, LA, her brother Glenn of Tyler, TX and Holloway’s parents A.H. (Holloway) Sinclair and Louise Clanton Sinclair of Shreveport, LA.

She is survived by 72 descendants including 16 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Children + spouses (10): Bryan, David, Michael, Paul, and Ross along with their wives Kim, Carol, Ann, Timisha and Dayna respectively. Grandchildren + spouses (29): Rebekah Sinclair Voelker and husband Scott, Emily Frances Sinclair, Kelsey Sinclair, Hannah Sinclair Gibson and husband Matt, and Charlie Sinclair. Travis Sinclair and wife Kelsey, Shelby Sinclair Bardo and husband Robert, and Reagan Helen Sinclair Engelhardt and husband Kalen. Stephanie Sinclair Tate and husband Jonathan, Ryan Sinclair and wife Summer, and Mary Katherine Sinclair Bossow and husband Chadd. George Sinclair and wife Lauren and Annette Sinclair Dishon and husband Alex. Matthew Sinclair and wife Lauren, Kaylyn Sinclair El-issa and Rani, and Caleb Sinclair and wife Mandy. Great Grandchildren (33): Blythe, Adelie, and Seth Voelker. Hunter and Wyatt Gibson. McKenzie and James Jackson (JJ) Sinclair. Emory, Cameron, and Taylor Bardo. Holland and Noel Engelhardt. Saydee, Sawyer, and Jett Tate. Eliska, Scarlett, and Everett Sinclair. Emma and Beau Bossow. Luke and Jack Sinclair, Deacon Dishon. Katy, Karlie, and Colt Sinclair. Andrew, Eli, Emmett El-issa. Addison, Hudson, Brooks, and Everett Sinclair.

Helen is also survived by her brother Don Wilkins and his wife Maurice and by Holloway’s brother and sister Ben Sinclair and Tabitha Wagner, her cat Minnie Pearl and an unknown number of feral cats, possums, skunks, and other critters that would show up at her back door. Remaining family are all who know and love the Sinclair family. You know who you are.


A Celebration Life service is scheduled for January 24, 2026 IS NOW RESCHEDULED DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER TO JANUARY 30TH at Kingsland Baptist Church, 20555 Kingsland Blvd., Katy, Texas 77450 with visitation at 10:00 am with a service at 11:00 am. The service can also be viewed via livestream at https://kingsland.org/memorialservice. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to honor Helen Sinclair’s life and her love for missions may be given to Kingsland Baptist Church Missions Fund. Burial service will be at Belle Bower Cemetery, 1600 Speights Road, north of Logansport, LA and west of Longstreet, LA at 11:00 am on February 7, 2026.