Helen N. Sleeper, age 92 of Florence, died Saturday September 19, 2015 at Lauderdale Christian Nursing Home after a brief illness. Church services in her memory will be said in Texas, California, Kentucky, Delaware, and Georgia, in the hometowns of her seven living children.

Mrs. Sleeper was a loving mother, grandmother and an American patriot. Her radiant smile and optimistic disposition will be missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her former husband, H. Scott Sleeper, Jr. and her son, Christopher Kent Sleeper.

She is survived by her children, Nancy Sleeper Kanive, Richard B. Sleeper, W. Randall Sleeper, Donna Sleeper Buss, Christine Sleeper Ford, Dale A. Sleeper and J. Todd Sleeper, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also, by her sister, Dorothea Tyree, brother, Ralph O''Connor and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Sleeper was a native of Revere, Massachusetts. She graduated from Peter Bent Brigham Nursing School in Boston, Massachusetts near the end of World War II and worked in the nursing profession for more than 45 years. After moving from San Diego, California to Florence, Alabama in 1969 she became the Director of Nursing at Mitchell Hollingsworth for more than a decade. During this time, her musical talent was often showcased when she accompanied her seven singing children on the piano at the nursing home. As part of the "Greatest Generation" she passed on her love for America to her children, six of whom served in the Armed Forces, and two of whom married active duty service members. She was also a member and former Vice President of the Business and Professional Women''s Association. In 1982 she moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to work as a nurse. Four years later, after extensive world travel, she returned to Florence. She attended St. Joseph''s Catholic Church in Florence and St. Michael''s Catholic Church of St. Florian.

Special thanks to Dr. Pat Auxier and the exceptional nursing staff at Laurderdale Christian Nursing Home for the daily care and concern for Mrs. Sleeper.