Helen Powell Cooper

Cooper, Helen Irene Powell – age 97 of Memphis, formally of Knoxville, Tennessee, died May 24, 2010. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Alfred J. Cooper, in 1989. She leaves two daughters, Anne Cooper DeSaix (Harry) of Germantown, TN and Betty Gail Cooper Peters (Denny) of Pensacola, FL. She also leaves five grandchildren, Drenda (Tom) Pullen and Debbie Downes, both of Collierville, TN, Hank (Stephanie) DeSaix of Memphis, TN, Molly (Thom) Burke of Jacksonville, FL and Meg Gay of Panama City, FL. She dearly loved her seven great grandsons, JT, Clark and Taylor Pullen, Max and Drew Burke, Taylor and Jackson Gay and her great granddaughter, Abigail Helen Downes. She leaves cousins, Hilda Morse and Marylou Varnell Thomas of Flintstone, GA and brother-in-law, Roy Smith of Carrollton, GA. She also leaves several nieces and nephews and their families. Helen was raised in the Chattanooga/Flintstone Georgia area, moving to Knoxville in 1936 after marrying Alfred. She was one of six children of the late Cicero Leonard and Leura Belle Powell. All her sibling predeceased her. A member of Church Street United Methodist Church for over 60 years, she was actively involved in her church circle and their ministries. She and Alfred were founding members of the Christian Home Class at Church Street United Methodist Church. She was President of Ossoli Circle several times and served as President during their 100th year celebration. She was also President of several other organizations she belonged to including Sequoyah Hills Garden Club, Knoxville Duplicate Bridge Club and Regent of the Lydia Bean Chapter of DAR. When her girls were growing up, she was actively involved in their activities, serving as Scout Leader, Room Mother and President of Phi Mu and AOII Sorority Mother’s Clubs. She and her husband helped found and were Presidents of the Knoxville Teen Board, Sequoyah, Tyson and West High PTA. She was a member of Deane Hill and Cherokee Country Clubs, where she participated in their 9 hole golf groups. She was an avid duplicate bridge player, loved entertaining, dancing with Alfred and attending UT Football and Basketball games. After moving to Memphis she was a member of The Kiwanis at Kirby Pines Estates, where she resided until her death. Helen lived an exemplary Christian life and enjoyed sharing her faith. She was known for her deep principles of honesty, kindness, forgiveness and being positive! She was truly a gift to all who knew her. Her family thanks the staff at Kirby Pines for the kindness and loving care they gave her. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Church Street United Methodist Church (900 Henley St, 37902) or Ossoli Circle (2511 Kingston Pike, 37919) both of Knoxville. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com

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Helen Powell Cooper

October 11, 1912 - May 24, 2010