Helen Mace Coen Lester, born August 2, 1923, went to be with the Lord on February 5, 2018 in Spencer, WV.
Helen lived her entire life in Roane County. She and her first husband, Floyd Eugene (Gene) Coen were entrepreneurs, having built and/or owned many businesses in Spencer. Through their efforts, the Ripley Road was zoned commercial which paved the way for the many businesses on that road today. They built the Queen Bee in 1966. Helen introduced the first pressure cooked chicken in Spencer at the Queen Bee. At the Queen Bee she made the chili sauce which was so good and sold hotdogs 5 for $1.00 6 for $1.00 on Sundays! During their working years, they owned a carpet shop, a quick shop, a laundromat and a sit-down restaurant, Poor Richards, where the Poca Valley Bank is today. Helen also owned and operated the Pizza and Chicken Shack that had the best Pizza Bread anywhere! She was a good business woman and made sure the food she served was tasty and presented well. She knew everyone in Spencer and they knew her.
Helen first worked at the Spencer Sweater Factory. She honed her talents and became a respected inspector. When she bought anything in a retail shop, she looked it over to make sure it was a quality product. If it was a sweater, she could mend it. She altered and "worked over" lots of clothes. She was dismayed if her sewing machine was not working properlyâ¦even till the time she left us.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Carpenter Mace and her father, Harmie William Mace. Mother was related to the Naylors and the Stumps. She has one deceased brother, Jack Mace. She survived 2 husbands, Floyd Eugene Coen and John Mark Lester, a prominent Spencer businessman.
Helen is survived by 3 sisters and 1 brother, all above the age of 80. Kathryn Maude Grady, Lenore Ruth (O.G. Chuck) Helper, Bobby Gene Mace and Dorothy Ann (Roger) Conner.
Also surviving are daughters, Sharon Coen Smith McCroskey Lowe and Connie Coen (David) Yoak,. Helen left 5 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Descendants of Sharon Lowe are Robert Conrad Smith, Tammy Smith (John) Holzworth and Teresa Jane McCroskey Starcher. Tammy's children are Mathew Alexander Sovine, Benjamin Scott Sovine, Ashleigh Marie Holzworth, Jay Holzworth and Zachary Edward Holzworth. Teresa's children are Albert Ira Douglas (Doug) Smith, Gregory Wayne Smith and Tara Renee Burns. Descendants of Connie are Heather Marie Yoak (Jeffrey) Tron. Heather's children are Cassidy Grace Tron and Mackenzie Faith Tron. Lori Lynn Yoak (Dennis) Struyk has one daughter, Katelynn Benning Struyk.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 8 at the John H. Taylor Funeral Home, Spencer, with Pastor Russell B. Stump and David Yoak officiating. Burial will be in the Eventide Cemetery, Spencer.
The visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. Wednesday and one hour before the service Thursday at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.taylorfuneralhomeinc.com
|
