Vergie Lee Coffee

Vergie Lee Coffee, 95 years old, a Helena resident for thirty three years, died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. Vergie was born on September 4, 1913 in Kennedy, Alabama to the late J.R. House and the late Laura Elizabeth Gillam.

Vergie was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Helena, Arkansas and a member of the Royal Honor of Eastern Star. She worked as a nurse’s aid in Palm Beach County for many years before retiring and moving to Helena in 1977. While in Helena she worked as a nurse for Dr. W.T. Paine before completely retiring.

Vergie was honored to be able to see five generations three times in her life. Known to most people as “Aunt Vergie”, she will be remembered for the love and laughter that she freely shared with everyone, but above all, she will be remembered for her devotion to the Lord.

Vergie was preceded in death by her parents, J.R. House and Laura Gillam; her husband, Otis Lee Coffee; one brother, R.J. House; one sister, Inez House Patterson; a daughter, Billie Jo Woods; nephew, Jimmy House; and her brothers-in-law, John Patterson and Harold Bryant.

She is survived by her children, Bobby Steward and wife, Carol, Ann Lewis and husband, Bert, and Jerry Ross Steward, all of Helena-West Helena; Jimmy Steward and wife, Julie, of Belleview, Florida; Theresa Landrum and husband, Jerry, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and Marci Gilbert-Ramey of Memphis, Tennessee; sisters, Dorothy Bryant and Mrs. W.T. Paine of Helena-West Helena; twenty two grandchildren, twenty three great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services for Vergie Coffee will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, November 7, 2008 at Roller-Citizens. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Roller-Citizens. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena. Reverend Gary Henson and Brother Al Major will officiate.

Pallbearers are grandsons, Don Steward, Troy Steward, Jarrett Ramey and Seth Landrum; grandson-in-law, Chris Elkins; and son-in-law, Jerry Landrum. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. W.T. Paine, Dr. Norman Bryant, Dr. Patrick Bell, Billy Malone, Hershel Mooneyham, Wesley King, Lee Sullivan, and J.V. “Nick” Nichols.

Memorials may be made to Arkansas Department of Health-Hospice, P.O. Box 788, Forrest City, Arkansas 72336.

Services directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571.