Helen C. Cockrell

Born May 23, 1906 in East St. Louis, Illinois, she moved to Birmingham at age 8.

A longtime resident of Homewood, she was in 2nd graduating class of Shades Cahaba High School (1923). A graduate of Wheeler Business College, Helen had a long career as a secretary for several small firms/individuals before joining Southern Natural Gas, retiring in 1971.

Helen was the oldest member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, her family having been charter members. She was a Bible study member, an avid gardener and loved to read. For many years, she maintained displays in Homewood Public Library and volunteered in Friends Bookstore. She received

the 2002 Library Champion Award from the Jefferson County Public Library Association.

Helen was an excellent writer and historian. She has left writings about important events of her lifetime, her family history and annual Christmas letters cherished by all recipients. She was a member of the Post Card Club and Homewood Historical Society. Helen was a devoted friend, generous, kind and inspiration to all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Neal J. Cockrell, brothers and their wives, Frederick William Schnell (Geneva) and Raymond Louis Schnell (Ernestine), and sister Margaret Schnell. She is survived by niece Linda S. Ball and great nieces Amy and Wendy Ball of Birmingham; niece Janet S. Ehrke and great niece Karen Ehrke of San Jose, CA and niece Marjorie S. Brown of Demopolis, AL as well as a number of nieces and nephews in her extended family.

The family thanks Kathryn Bingham for years of devoted help to Helen.

Visitation is Wednesday, Mar 13 at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, 5-7PM. Memorial service will be held on

Thursday, Mar 14 at 11AM, with visitation from 10-11AM at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, followed by

interment at Elmwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to the Helen Cockrell Book Endowment Fund of the Homewood Library, the Canterbury United Methodist Church Library or Gardens, or your favorite charity.