Mrs. Helen Griffiths Cooke, age 94, of Covington, died Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at LewisGale Hospital-Alleghany, Low Moor. She was the wife of the late Richard Earl Cooke, Sr. who preceded her in death in 1999.
Mrs. Cooke was born March 22, 1922 in Scranton, PA, the daughter of the late George Griffiths and Della Powell Griffiths. She had been employed as a clerical worker by the U.S. Department of the Navy in Washington, DC. A member of this community since 1947, Mrs. Cooke was a member of McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. She served her church as a Sunday school teacher for the kindergarten children and was awarded an honorary lifelong membership by the church in May, 1991. Helen was also a member of the Rainbow Garden Club and was very active with Area Special Olympics and Alleghany Highlands Sheltered Workshop with her daughter, Lisa.
Mrs. Cooke is survived by a son, Richard E. Cooke, Jr. and wife, June Anne of Covington; a daughter, Diane Cooke Hicks of Covington; four grandchildren, Christie Cooke Kinsey and husband, Ronnie, Stanley Thomas Cooke and wife, Brooklyn, Casey Stephen Hicks and wife, Courtney and Kayleigh Eileen Hicks; five great grandchildren, Rachael Suzanne Kinsey, Mason Kevin Kinsey, Bryce Carter Hicks, Remi Shae Cooke and Colter Wayne Cooke; one brother, Ray Griffiths of California; and special caregivers, Brooklyn, Sonya, Linda, Catherine, Pam, Morgan, Leisa, Vinnie and Kristen.
In addition to her parents, George and Della Powell Griffiths, and her husband of fifty-two years, Richard Earl Cooke, Sr., Mrs. Cooke was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Lynette Cooke on May 11, 2011; a son-in-law, Jeffrey Winstard Hicks on August 2, 2015, four brothers, George Griffiths, Willard Griffiths, Stanley Griffiths and David Griffiths; and two sisters, Mary G. Hoover and Ruth G. Flanagan.
A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Sunday, December 18, 2016, at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church with Rev. Doug Hollenbeck officiating. Entombment will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 19, 2016, in Alleghany Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Ronnie Kinsey, Casey Hicks, Stan Cooke, Jim Flanagan, Greg Dickson, Randy Canterbury, Mason Kinsey and Horace Cooke.
The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home and at other times at the residence of Ricky and June Anne Cooke, 102 Sherry May Lane, Covington.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Area 18 Special Olympics, P.O. Box 122, Covington, VA 24426; McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Alleghany Avenue, Covington, VA 24426; Covington Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 588, Covington, VA 24426; and Falling Spring Rescue Squad, 305 Friels Drive, P.O. Box 880, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.