Helen Cookson

Helen Louise Entrop Cookson

Funeral services are schedule for 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 3, at Ballard Funeral Chapel for Helen Cookson, 93, of Roswell, who passed away at her home on February 26, 2007. Dr. Hugh Burroughs of First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery.

Helen Louise Cookson was born May 3, 1913 in Brookshire, Texas, to Robert F. and Mable S. Entrop. She was their first-born and their only daughter.

When Helen was a few months old, the family moved to Roswell, where she spent the rest of her life. She attended local schools and graduated with honor from Roswell High School in 1930. Throughout her schooling she participated in extra-curricular activities, with emphasis on music and business courses. Among her recognitions, she was elected Editor-in-chief of the 1930 RHS yearbook, El Coyote.

Upon graduation, Helen was employed as a secretary at New Mexico Military Institute. During her tenure there she was secretary to six different Superintendents and to Dr. I .J. Marshall, the school physician. She retired in 1964 after 34 years of service.

From early childhood, Helen regularly attended Sunday school and church and became a member of the First Christian Church in 1925. The church was an important part of her adult life, and she was very active in its various programs. Over the years she was Deaconess, a member of the choir, Sunday School class, Christian Womens Fellowship, and served on numerous committees and projects. As a lover of plants and flowers, she was particularly adept at decorating for church dinners and other special occasions. She also substituted in various Sunday School departments. She was always willing to serve when needed.

It was at the First Baptist Church that she met her future husband, Orville H. Cookson, whom she married December 6, 1930. Theirs was a happy marriage that lasted 69 years. She was a loving and devoted help-mate.

In addition to her church commitments, Helen had varied interests. Throughout the years she was a member of the original Roswell Garden Club; was a Charter Member of the 1941 Book Club; Charter Member of Chapter AI of the P.E.O Sisterhood a philanthropic and educational organization; member of Knife and Fork Club, Roswell Womens Club, the local chapter of Retired Teachers, Life Member of New Mexico Life Teachers, and Honorary Life Member of Alumni Association of NMMI.

Helen was preceded in death by husband, Orville, her parents, and her only brother, Robert Kenneth Entrop of Roswell.

She is survived by her late brothers widow, Mary Entrop, and their two children, Susan Louise Entrop and Robert Boyd Entrop, both of Roswell; Entrops wife Rebecca and their four children, Erica Entrop, Laura Johnson and Paul Johnson of Roswell and Meredith Jeffreys of Santa Fe. She is also survived by other relatives, including a very special aunt, Alice Entrop Swain, and her family of Baytown, Texas.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday, March 2, 2007 at Ballard Funeral Home at 8:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.
PArrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at A hrefht