Helen Pender

Helen LaVern Pender, 63, of Jackson died Monday, Aug. 6, 2007, at her home.

She was born March 13, 1944, in Cape Girar-deau, daughter of James Edward and Ruth Ann Kennedy Park. She and Larry Franklin Pender were married Oct. 3, 1959. He died Feb. 5, 2005.

Pender had been a nurse's aide at Southeast Missouri Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center, and a cook with Jackson School District, retiring in 2004. She was a member of First General Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Brenda Van Matre of Jackson, Tava Hecht of Pocahontas; two brothers, Edward Park of Olney, Ill., Charles Park of Cape Girardeau; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter and two brothers.

Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Mike Huffman officiating. Burial will be in Lorimier Cemetery in Cape Gir-ardeau.