Helen Louise Reid Cooper, Mimi and Meme to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 97, passed away on August 5, 2024.

She was born in Catawba County, N.C. to Edna Mae Garrison Reid and Ralph Leonard Reid in 1927, their second child. 

Helen met James Edgar Cooper Jr. at a dance in Lincoln County. He thought she was the cutest little thing he had ever seen. She married Jim in 1950. They had three children, Peggy, Eddie and Lou Ann.  Helen was a loving mother to all of us, grandmother to Kelly, Corey, Brad, Jason and Lynsey, great-grandmother to 13, sister, aunt and friend.  She was famous for her Christmas tree sugar cookies, which were loved by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well her sister Shelby Jean.

Helen’s calling and greatest joy was being a mother. She started early, as her mother died when she was 12, so Helen and her sister Shirley acted as mothers, raising their younger sisters and brothers until her father married Beulah Robinson Reid, which was a blessing for the family. This resulted in her own children being extremely lucky because she was an expert mother from the start as her grateful sisters and brothers always reminded us. Helen loved her family and was an extremely loving and encouraging mother to all of us.

She was very involved with her grandchildren, keeping them after school, pallet sleepovers and annual beach and Christmas get-togethers. Helen worked in the cafeteria at GE Massey Elementary School for many years while her grandchildren attended school there so she could see them there.         

She is survived by a son, Eddie (Denise) Cooper of Lincolnton; a daughter, Lou Ann Cooper of the home; four grandsons Kelly Sain (Colleen), Corey Sain, Brad Sain (Tori), Jason Cooper (Allison);  and one granddaughter Lynsey Foster (Donne); 13 great-grandchildren  Jessica Sain, Alivia Sain, Cooper Sain, Easton Sain, Bowen Sain, Faith Sain, Shep Sain, Millie Sain, Clementine Sain, Caroline Cooper, Waverly Cooper, James Cooper, and Hadley Foster; one sister Ann Helms (Buck); beloved nieces and nephews; and Willie Cooper, the cat.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Jim Cooper; her daughter Peggy Lynn Cooper; second mother Beulah Reid; brothers R.J. Reid (Betty Ann) and Ted Reid (Joyce); sisters Shirley Bradshaw (Ralph), Shelby Jean Puckett (Joe), and Dorothy Reid.

A Celebration of Life with the Family will be at the family home at 2931 Highland Drive, Lincolnton, NC on at a date to be determined. There will be no funeral or graveside services.

A registry book will be available at Warlick Funeral Home for those who want to express their condolences.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to VIA Health Partners (formerly Hospice & Palliative Care Lincoln County) in Lincolnton, N.C.

Eddie and Lou Ann want to thank everyone for their love, support and kindness during this time. We find strength in knowing we will see mom, dad and Peggy again someday.

Warlick Funeral Home of Lincolnton, N.C. is serving the Cooper family.