HELEN EVELYN MCCOSKEY
Helen Evelyn McCoskey age 103 went to meet her Lord on December 20, 2017. She was the oldest of five children born on March 25,1914 to Lawrence and Erie Robinson in Pomona, lllinois. She spent her early years on a farm in southern lllinois. Because she was the oldest sibling, she spent much of her time working on the farm and helping with the younger children. She graduated from Murphysboro Township High School in Murphysboro, lL. Helen married Clyde McCoskey in 1932. Clyde and Helen had one child, a daughter, Marilyn. During World War ll, Clyde, an electrician, was sent to work in large power plants in Arizona, Utah and Kansas and his family joined him there. After the war they moved back to lllinois, where Clyde started his own electrical shop. After their daughters marriage in 1956 to Frank Garcia they moved to San Mateo, CA. and then after Clyde’s retirement to Lodi, CA to be near Marilyn’s family that had then moved to Lodi.
Helen’s faith in God was at the center of her life. She joined the Lodi Avenue Baptist Church and was a member for over 40 years. Through all those years she was involved in the work of the church. She taught Bible study classes and was very active in numerous church activities where she touched many lives. She was honored by her church on more than one occasion. At one time she held a position at the state level for the Southern Baptist Convention.
She excelled in all that she did as a homemaker, gardener, and seamstress. She was extremely talented in the area of fashion design. ln her twenties she was given the opportunity to go to New York to work with a fashion designer. Unfortunately, during the depression married, and with a child was not a time that worked for her.. However, she showed her talent by designing her sister’s wedding gown that is on display at the John A. Logan County Museum in Murphysboro, lllinois. Helen was also a 50 year member of Eastern Star.
She loved spending time with her daughter and her husband, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Clyde McCoskey, her parents, Lawrence and Erie Robinson, three sisters, Mary Jane Casper of San Jose, CA, Kathleen Lowe of Carbondale, lL, and Dorothy Smith of Carbondale, lL.
She is survived by her daughter, Marilyn (husband, Frank) Garcia of Lodi, her grandchildren, Mike (wife, Julie) Garcia of Los Angeles, CA and Amy (husband, Bobby) Brown of Verdi, NV, 4 great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Madeline Garcia and Hannah and Hayden Brown, and one brother, Frank (wife, Mary Margaret) Robinson of Jupiter, FL.
ln the later years before her death she received great care by all those at Arbor Senior Living, Bristol Hospice, and Mrs. Josie Brand.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Lodi Avenue Baptist Church, 2301 W. Lodi Avenue on Saturday, January 2O at 11:00 a.m. if you wish to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Lodi Avenue Baptist Church, The Salvation Army, Bristol Hospice in Stockton or a charity of your choice.
Please sign the guest book at www.lodinews.com/ guestbook.