CARTHAGE — Services for Helen Ruth Cooper, 74, of Carthage, who died Monday, March 29, 2010, at the Neshoba County Nursing Home, will be at 2 p.m. today at Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. William Kitchens and the Rev. Bobby Waggoner officiating.

Burial will follow at Rock Hill Cemetery under the direction of Wilcox Funeral Home in Carthage.

Mrs. Cooper was a native of Leake County and was employed by Garan Corporation in Carthage for 32 years. She was also a member of Conway Baptist Church.

She was a simple, hard working woman whose life centered around her family, her Lord and her church. She loved and encouraged her brood of four rambunctious sons as only a mother could. She seemed to get the most joy and fulfillment out of seeing her children and grandchildren succeed and would beam with pride whenever we did so.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Jack McLemore Jr.

Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Joe Cooper of Philadelphia, formerly of Carthage; four sons, Steve Hillman and wife, Retha, of Terry, Mike Hillman and wife, Shanda, of Philadelphia, Greg Hillman of Brandon and Jeff Hillman and wife, Cathy, of Flora; one brother, Herman of Vicksburg; two sisters, Qjet Wilson of Natchez and Joyce Killens of Carthage.

In her last few years disease stole her mind and vitality. But we will always remember her strength, her wisdom and her love for us. We know her spirit resides with Jesus now and we long for the day when we will see her loving green eyes again in heaven.