Helen Maxine Cook, 94 of Cottage hills passed away Friday, February 21, 2025 at Nazareth Living Center in St. Louis.

She was born Dec. 14, 1930 in Morley, MO to Elmer and Effie (Barks) Gilliland.

She married Leroy Cook Feb. 28, 1947 in Blodgett, MO.  He preceded her in death Jan 2, 1994.

Helen was a member of the 1st Baptist Church in Cottage Hills where she sang in choir. She was a homemaker and was dedicated to her family and church.  In her free time she enjoyed gardening and playing the organ at home.  When she was younger, she played basketball with a women's team.  Helen was also a dedicated election poll worker at the Cottage Hills fire station polling place.

She is survived by a son, Larry (Norma) Cook of St, Louis; daughter, Vickie Cook Conklin of Titusville, FL; four grandchildren, Kris, Lindsey, Lisa and Leslie and eleven great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers, Elmer Gilliland, Jr. and Eugene Gilliland.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of services at noon on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Paynic Home for Funerals.  Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

An online guestbook is available at www.paynicfh.com