Helen Brooks

Helen Cooley-Robinette-Grove-Brooks, 91, died on Feb. 2, 2014, at Family Tree Assisted Living in Casa Grande, surrounded by her loving family.

The celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Assembly of God in Casa Grande, with Pastor Jerry Rotan officiating.

Mrs. Brooks was born in Bald Knob, Ark., to John and Annie Cooley and was one of 10 siblings. She was married for 43 years to Talmadge "Babe" Robinette until his death, and they owned and operated some grocery stores in the area, including Santa Rosa Trading Post and stores in Stanfield, Maricopa and Sacaton. She later married James Grove, and later Gerald Brooks.

She was a member of First Assembly of God for more than 65 years and participated in the women’s ministry. For 17 of those years the church was pastored by her son-in-law, Ed Bradford. She and her lifelong friends Nell Pierce and Pauline Harrington made exceptional quilts, with the proceeds funding two church kitchens. She was an artist and made beautiful dolls that she happily gave to family members. She cherished the Robinette and Cooley family reunions, and the family loved her chocolate and lemon pies. She spent 30 summers in Prescott, where she attended Prescott First Assembly. Until she became ill the past year, she almost never missed attending church. She was a dedicated Christ follower and prayed faithfully for her large family, her church family and a long list of missionaries.

Survivors include a daughter and two sons, Dawn Anna Bradford, Talmadge Lloyd Robinette and Joseph Robinette, and 52 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Gene Robinette, and her husbands.

Memorial donations may be made to: First Assembly of God Building Fund, 501 E. Kortsen Road, Casa Grande, AZ 85122.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel is in charge of arrangements.