1932-2023
A memorial service will be held for Helen Griffin Cooper Osteen on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 2:00 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Sherman, TX. Family Visitation will be at 1:00 in the Family Life Center. Dr. Mike Lawson, pastor, of the Church will officiate with services under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home. A private family service lead by Mark Reynolds will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Corsicana, TX with John Walker, Mark Reynolds, Brandon Walker, Casey Walker, Morgan Reynolds, Rocky Phillips, and Mike Holman serving as pallbearers. Helen Griffin Cooper Osteen went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the age of 90. She was born an identical twin on November 19, 1932 in Taylor, TX to Audrey Clare Griffin and Johnny Madison Griffin. She married Dean Cooper on March 7, 1953. She graduated from Corsicana High School and attended Baylor University.
Helen will be remembered as a confident, caring business woman and community servant who was willing to help any and all who had a need. She owned two Real Estate businesses through the years and introduced many to the city of Sherman she loved so dearly. She served on the Board of Directors for the Sherman area Chamber of Commerce 1975 85 and was the first female Chamber of Commerce President in Sherman’s history in 1979-80. Helen served as President of the Grayson County Board of Realtors in 1974 and was honored as Realtor of the Year in 1976. She was recognized for her generous support of the Junior Achievement Programs and her contribution to the Planning and Zoning Board. Helen was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Sherman where she participated actively serving on various committees.
However, her heart was with the youth of the church. She counseled and mentored many throughout the years teaching Sunday School, chaperoning mission and choir tours, and hosting meals. She loved being an honorary “mom” to the Solid Rock singers and the youth of the church and found joy in keeping up with them as they progressed through life. Helen is survived by her daughter Debbie Walker and son in law John, and daughter Vicki Reynolds and son in law Mark. Grandchildren Brandon Walker, Casey Walker, Haley Walker and fiancé Rocky Phillips, Ashleigh Davis and husband Jordan and Morgan Reynolds and fiancé Rebecca Bowron, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
Great-grandchildren Ella, Emily and Evelyn Davis and Autumn Phillips. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Dean Cooper, her parents John and Audrey Griffin, her twin sister Dorothy Porter and brother in law Jimmie. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, Sherman, TX Sanctuary Fund at 400 S. Travis, Sherman, TX 75090, or the Alzheimer’s Association online at www.https://act.alz.org or Home Office at 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl, 17, Chicago, IL 60601. With deep gratitude, the family warmly thanks her wonderful friends who have nurtured and prayed for her through this difficult season and those who cared for her, especially the staff at Celebration Senior Living and Heritage House of Plano. The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.
