Helen Weir Cooper

Helen Weir Cooper left this earth peacefully on May 28, 2026 at the age of 101. Her loving son, Fletcher, was at her bedside.

Helen was born in Aston, PA on November 01, 1924 to Howard Twadell Weir, Sr. and Ethel Ormsby Weir in their family home on Pennell Road.

She was the fourth of 7 children.

Earl Weir, (Helen’s brother) who was born on October 4, 1925 was considered in the 1920’s, her “Irish Twin” since the two of them were born within 12 months of each other.

Helen was baptized as a toddler at Mount Hope Methodist Church in Aston, PA on June 13, 1926 by the Reverend H.H. Truax who was the officiating pastor at the time.

Helen grew up on a dairy farm which included several acres of land where her family had fruit trees, and a family garden. Her grandfather, Benjamin Weir owned the Carter/Weir House which stood on a 250 acre tract, (purchased in England for five shillings) and included the key crossroads intersection of Concord and Pennell Roads. The original Carter household, known as the “Weir House”, has undergone many changes with the most prominent in 1707 with a 5 room addition. Marquis de Lafayette was brought to the Carter/Weir house on September 11, 1777, after being wounded at the Battle of Brandywine Creek. Because the Carter family (which became the Weir’s property) had risked their own lives by giving aid to the French rebel, the grateful patriot later returned to the Carter/Weir home to sign his name on the bottom of the table, creating a family heirloom. Helen Weir’s family owned the house and the surrounding fields for nearly a century.

In 1938, Helen studied piano, music theory, voice and dance at the Franz Liszt Academy in Media, PA under the direction of R.W. Riesberg.

During her high school days, Helen was a cheerleader and was voted the most popular of her class.

She was graduated with the Class of 1942 from Nether Providence School in Wallingford, PA

After graduation, Helen held a position as a secretary with Viscose Corporation at Marcus Hook, PA for several years.

Helen’s older brother, Dr Howard Twadell Weir, Jr went to Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, and invited Helen to take the train from Pennsylvania to Auburn, Alabama to go to a college dance at the University. It was there where she was swept off the dance floor by a young veterinary student “Buddie” Irven Roland Cooper, Jr who was in the ROTC program studying veterinary medicine at Auburn. The rest is history.

Shortly after World War II, in 1946, Helen married the love of her life, Dr. Irven Roland Cooper, Jr. (Buddie). The couple moved to Ridgeland, SC where Buddie started a private veterinary practice.

Helen and Buddie were blessed with three sons, Irven, Lawrence and Fletcher. The family traveled, and lived many places throughout the world while Colonel Cooper served his country in the United States Army.

Helen Weir Cooper enjoyed many hobbies. She loved watering her flowers and feeding the birds in her backyard. Helen had a charitable heart as she was a Red Cross volunteer & drove an ambulance after the devastation of the 1966 Topeka Tornado in Kansas. As entertainment, she enjoyed watching her favorite NBA basketball team the San Antonio Spurs, and would always chant “Go Spurs Go” every game. Helen loved music, and attended many concerts including the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and musical ensembles at Trinity University. She loved “tinkling the ivories” on her baby grand piano, singing and ringing handbells in the church choir, and serving over 40 years helping others at the Fort Sam Houston Protestant Post Chapel.

Helen will be remembered by her generosity and always saying her prayers before meals and at bedtime. She loved her family, and was a believer in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior.

Helen is survived by her sons: Lawrence Melvin, Fletcher McKnight and his wife, Zindi, three grandchildren: Shelley Cooper-Kirkland/husband, Aaron, Matthew McKnight Cooper/wife, Megan,

Laura Ashley Cooper-Korostinsky/husband, Alexander, three great-grandchildren: Lily Kirkland, Owen McKnight Cooper, Crosby Michael Cooper, and is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Howard Twadell Weir, Sr. and Ethel Ormsby-Weir, brothers: Dr. Howard Twadell Weir, Jr. and Earl Melvin Weir, sisters: Mary Weir-Brown, Mildred Irene Weir, Doris Weir-Zensen, Jean Weir-Ohls, beloved eldest son, Irven Roland Cooper, III and devoted husband, Irven (Buddie) Roland Cooper, Jr.

Please consider donations in lieu of flowers to:

*Wounded Warrior Project

support.woundedwarriorproject.org

*Wreaths Across America

wreathsacrossamerica.org

Visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218, on June 15, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:20 am, and a Catered Reception will also take place in Lone Star Hall at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218, on June 15, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:20 am.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas 78218, on June 15, 2026, from 11:20 am to 12:20 pm, with livestream available at https://www.facebook.com/1742304236071652.

A Committal Service will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209, on June 15, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 1:20 pm, with livestream available at https://www.facebook.com/1742304236071652.