Helen P Cooke

Obituary For Helen P Cooke

Helen Patton Cooke was born February 24, 1930, the third child of Jonah and Cornelia Patton of Nashville, Tennessee. She was a faithful member of St. Vincent de Paul in Nashville where she sang in the choir. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Tennessee A & I State College (now Tennessee State University), Helen worked at Fisk University, Meharry Medical College’s Pathology Department, and Tennessee State University.

Helen married Longino A. Cooke, Jr. of Memphis, Tennessee, on December 27, 1954, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, Tennessee. To this union was born one son, Longino, III. Helen taught in Memphis City Schools for thirty years, at Georgia Avenue & Orleans Elementary Schools. At her death, she was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Helen and her sisters shared a close relationship, even though one of them lived in Texas. The sisters had a total of six children who enjoyed summers in Nashville with grandparents, MaMoo and Grandaddy. The sisters instilled in their children and grandchildren the importance of family unity and support. That value is manifested by Helen and Longino’s granddaughter, Terran, and their niece and nephews, whose loving care and support meant so much to Helen.

Helen was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law Nell (Theron) Northcross, Dorothy (Martin) Edwards, son, Longino III, and nephew Theron W. Northcross, Jr.

Helen is survived by her devoted husband of 70 years, Longino Cooke, Jr.; a loving and caring granddaughter, Terran Noir Gary; great-granddaughter, Miguela Dior Gary; sister-in-law, Lorraine Winlock; nieces, Deborah Northcross and Rhynette Northcross Hurd; nephews, Phillip R. Northcross, Martin. L. Edwards III, and Perry A.G. Edwards; grandnephew, Blair Edwards (Mariah); grandnieces, Brittany Northcross and Cecily Edwards; cousins, Rudy Ingram, Sheryl Ingram, Tyrone Ingram, and Lisa Nobumoto; former daughters-in-law, Carol Cooke and Patricia Cooke; dear friends, Jo Bridges, Ann Nelson, Roland and Stephanie Person, Gladys Reed, Lillian Hammond, Myra White, Enid Walton, Deirdre Smith, and several other wonderful and supportive friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 24th, 2025 from 11:00 am - 11:55 am St Augustine Catholic Church located at 1169 Kerr Ave Memphis, TN 38106.
Funeral services will be on Monday, March 24th, 2025 at 12:00 PM in the St Augustine Catholic Church with officiating. Burial will take place on 11AM Wednesday March 26th, 2025 in West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery located at 4000 forest Hill Irene Road Memphis, TN 38125.

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