Daughter of Ada Mae and Oscar Cowan, Helen was born in Hampton Va on January 29, 1924. She graduated from Hampton High School as Salutatorian, Class of 1941. Helen soon found employment with Old Point National Bank as a bookkeeper and secretary to the bank President. Later, during World War II, she accepted a job with Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in the Employment Office.
On October 6th, 1943 Helen married her lifelong love, Paris R. Aiken, Jr. and they celebrated 43 happy years together. During her years as a devoted mother of six, she also found time for volunteering. She was an active member of the Wythe Womens Club for thirty years. Additionally, she served with the Missionary Society at Liberty Baptist Church, and she supported youth through Northampton Little League, Jobs Daughters and the DeMolay Fraternity.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Paris R. Aiken, Jr, her son, Paris III, and her grandson Paris IV. She is survived by her children Jeffery (Janet), Tim (Corey), Scott (Loreen), Lisa Wrightson (Eddie) and Gretchen Arndt (Lindsay), Eleven grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and the extra blessings of nieces, nephews, step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her dearly beloved sister, Mildred Cowan Brown.
A memorial service will be held at Parklawn Memorial Park in the mausoleum at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 4th.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers at The Hidenwood, Heartland Hospice and Home Sweet Home. You may honor Helen by making a contribution to the ProMedica Hospice Memorial Fund at ProMedica.org.
