HELEN MAXINE COOKE affectionately known as “Gran” by her family was born to the late Will Mose Cooke and the late Sallie Kidd-Cooke in Franklin County, Virginia the last of 15 children.

She received her formal education at the Brown School and at the Franklin County Training School in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age and was a member of the Snow Creek Baptist Church in Snow Creek, Virginia.

After relocating to New York City in 1946, she was employed at the Klein Umbrella Factory for 38 years.

In 1978 she and her family relocated to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She found employment with the Department of Aging “Green Thumb Program”. Upon retiring, she spent her days attending to family and working in her garden.

Maxine as she is fondly known by everyone, endured her illness with smiles, patience and understanding. She passed peacefully from this life at the age 99 years old, on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

She leaves to cherish her memory one daughter, Gale Diane Baten; one granddaughter, Minister Keisha S. George-Williams; two great-grandchildren, KaShae C. Holland and Salathiel M. Williams; one great-great grandson, Khi’Jir L. White and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Helen Maxine's life will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 in the Chapel of the Major H. Winfield Funeral Home, Steelton with viewing and visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and burial in William Howard Day Cemetery.