Helen J. Cochran

Helen Joyce Cochran was born on November 28, 1949 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Velma and Luke Effert Taylor, both of whom preceded her in death. Helen was the second born of eight children. Helen confessed her faith in Christ at an early age and grew up in Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church and was a member of the choir. After graduation from high school, Helen moved to Chicago and later to Mississippi where she married. She was the loving mother of Ryan Rondre, Ivory Latrell, Rhonda Patrice, Terrence Lavell, and Tasha Raynea. Helen worked in Education as an early childhood Teacher’s Assistant for over 20 years in Marks, Mississippi helping to shape many of the young minds in the community. She later rededicated her life to Christ, and after moving back to Saint Louis, joined People United for Christ Church under Pastor Willie J. Watkins as a faithful member until her health failed her. As a young child, Helen spent most of her summers in Mississippi with her grandparents where she learned many life lessons. Helen also had a special place in the hearts of many of her mother’s siblings and was affectionately referred to as “Helena.” Marian, Helen, and Pat were the first three born and had an incredibly special bond. Marian was the boss of Helen and Pat, and Helen was the boss of Pat, which was evident by the way Pat did everything Helen told her to do. Helen loved her family; listening to music, and attending concerts, such as the Temptations, Four Tops, O ’Jays, and Anthony Hamilton. Unless Helen was attending family gatherings, concerts, or Sunday service, she was very much a home body. Helen was an excellent cook and was known for her homemade biscuits, Mississippi mud cakes, carrot cakes, red velvet cakes, chicken rotel, and oyster dressing. Family members would travel from St. Louis, Chicago, Colorado, and Memphis to enjoy her cooking. She always cooked with love and found great joy in feeding her family and friends. She departed this life on Saturday, June 17, 2023, and leaves to cherish five children: Ivory (Petite) Taylor and Terrence Cochran of Saint Louis, Missouri, Tasha (Sean) Brooks of Columbia, Tennessee, Ryan (Charlah) Heags of Batesville, Mississippi, and Rhonda Dickerson of St. Paul, Minnesota; eight siblings: Marian (John) Hunter of Surprise, Arizona, Patricia Criss, Luke (Sheila) Taylor, Curtis Taylor, Linda Thomas, Juanita (Willie) Watkins, Reginald Taylor, and Lawrence (Lisa) Taylor of Saint Louis, Missouri; seven aunts and uncles: Minnie Peggs and Christine Berry of Chicago, Illinois, Charles Nathan of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Letha Bradford of Jackson, Mississippi, Lueada Nathan and Diane Nathan of Saint Louis, Missouri; twenty-four grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; and a host of cousins and dear friends.

Helen J. Cochran

November 28, 1949 - June 17, 2023