Helen Thomason
Helen Cowen Thomason, 83, died on October 25, 2014, in Houston, Texas.
She was born Nov. 30, 1930, in Port Barre, La., to Rosslyn John and Myrtle Hartwell Cowen. A long-time resident of Chattanooga, Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Fred Winston Thomason.
A graduate of Lafayette High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Helen also held master’s degrees in both library science and education administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, respectively. She retired from Chattanooga Public Schools in 1993, having worked 20 years as a teacher and librarian.
She was an active member of Brainerd United Methodist Church in Chattanooga for 50 years and served as a church school teacher in the children’s, youth and adult departments, as well as church librarian and president of the Brainerd Woman’s Society of Christian Service. She also served as president of the Chattanooga District Woman’s Society of Christian Service.
Helen loved jazz and travel and enjoyed both in retirement along with photography and gardening. She was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and a life member of the Walden Club.
She is survived by her daughters and their husbands; Kathryn and Ron Butcher of Houston, Tx., and Janet and Raymond Johnson, of Lafayette, La.; and a sister and her husband, Pansy and John Hilligarde of Lafayette. She also is survived by grandson Phillip Butcher of Houston and granddaughter Rebecca Johnson of Lafayette.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, followed by a gathering of family and friends in the church parlor. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Helen’s name to the Brainerd United Methodist Church Memorial Fund or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.