Helena Jane (Harper) Coles

Life’s Reflections

Helena Jane Coles passed away on May 24, 2021, at Providence Medical Center, Kansas City Kansas.

Helena was born May 22, 1938, in Damascus, Arkansas to Richard and Zadie Harper.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard E. Harper, her Mother Zadie B. Johnson. Daughter Dana Coles, son Johnny P. McKnight Jr., Sister’s Portia Johnson and Mertis Dupree, Brother Richard D. Harper.

Helena grew up in Kansas City Kansas, she graduated from Sumner High School in 1956. After high school she attended Madam CJ Walker’s School of Beauty, Secretarial College and School of Communication.

She was unit secretary at the Old Providence Hospital, she was employed with the Unified Government of Wyandotte in code enforcement. Helena retired from Kansas City Kansas Housing Authority in 2013.

Helena and Morris Coles were 14th District Committee person’s, she also participated with the Siler Haired Legislature.

Early in life Helena joined the Greater Jerusalem Baptist Church where she served on the Usher Board. Later, she became a Missionary and served in this capacity until her passing. Helena also was the Host for GJBC radio broadcast Saturdays on KPRT.

Helena never met a stranger; she has assisted those in need in the community for many years with God’s guidance.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years Morris S. Coles, daughters, Pamela D. McKnight; and Shawn (Lateef) Barnes; son, Sanford (Jennifer) Rhodes; sisters, Velvia (Norman) Copeland; Rita A. Hamilton; and Gwendolyn Sampson; brother, Larry Harper; grandchildren, Morris L. Sipple; Rochelle D. Bowser; Gregory D. Bowser; Shayla Barnes; Jalen Barnes; Mia Rhodes; Jahad Rhodes; and Xavier Rhodes; sixteen great-grands, twelve nieces and nephews and a host of cousins family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helena Jane (Harper) Coles, please visit our floral store.