Helen Louise Suter died peacefully September 9, 2023, in Seminole, Oklahoma, at the age of 86 years 10 months. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, September 14, 2023, at Wadley’s Funeral Chapel in Purcell. Interment will follow at Washington Cemetery, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service.
Helen was born November 9, 1936, in Washington, Oklahoma, to Lester Dee and Hazel Lorraine (Cox) Atkinson. She was raised in Washington and received her education there as well.
For many years, Helen served as the head of housekeeping at Central State Hospital until she retired. In the early 1980s, she found marital bliss upon marrying Howard Suter. Helen embraced life with a vibrant spirit and found joy in collecting knick-knacks and exploring garage sales and thrift stores. She possessed an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life and never failed to extend her warm heart to strangers.
Helen had an affection for junk food—popcorn, Snickers Ice Cream bars, popsicles—and savored each bite of doublemint chewing gum. Her green thumb flourished through flower gardening and meticulously tending her yard. Above all else, Helen treasured moments spent with her beloved family and eagerly captured those memories through photographs.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Hazel Atkinson; her husband, Howard Suter; her son, Johnny Patterson; and her brothers, Hollis Atkinson, Earl Atkinson, Hobby Atkinson and Wayne Atkinson.
Survivors include her son, L.D. Patterson and wife, Barbara; her daughter, Brenda Shinn and husband, James; her daughter, Shirley Burlingame and husband, Dennis; her son, Charles Patterson and wife, Faye; her brother, Billy Atkinson; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
