Helen Irene Cooper, age 88 of Southern Pines, passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

Born on April 28, 1921 in Surry Co., NC to the late George Washington Crissman and Lillie Hancock Crissman.  She was a member of Aberdeen First Baptist Church in Aberdeen where she was very active as a Sunday School teacher, member of church choirs, served on the Library Committee and also was involved in the Card Ministry.  Prior to her retirement, she worked at Burney Hardware in Aberdeen as a bookkeeper and office manager for many years.  For the past two years, she was a resident of Elmcroft Assisted Living in Southern Pines, NC.

She is survived by her son, James Robert Cooper and wife Sharon of N. Wilkesboro, NC. Two daughters: Brenda Cooper Harrell and husband Bert of Southern Pines, NC; and Sylvia Cooper McCreary and husband Gene of Greenville, NC. Two brothers: Wayne Rosser Crissman and Robert Crissman both of Sanford, NC. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Julie Cooper Ellison, Angela Cooper Garnett, Chris H. Cooper, Christie Cooper, Ellen Harrell Gilbert, L. Cooper Harrell, David Lane McCreary, and Penny Noel McCreary. Eight great-grandchildren also survive her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband who was her high school sweetheart, James Winford Cooper who passed away in 1980, as well as 6 brothers and 5 sisters.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Aberdeen with Rev. Mike Branscome and Rev. Charles Hinson officiating. The family will receive friends following the memorial service at the church. A private burial will be held by the family at Bethesda Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Memorial contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church of Aberdeen, 700 N. Sandhills Blvd., Aberdeen, NC 28315.

Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.