Carpenter, Helen Allen , age 87, of Decatur, AL, formerly of Hoover, AL, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2009. She was a former member of Central Park Baptist Church and is a member of Hunter Street Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward C. Carpenter; daughter, Connie Coker; parents, Roland and Oma Allen and sister, Marie A. Hamilton. She is survived by her son, Dennis E. (Ann) Carpenter of Decatur, AL; granddaughter, Donna Coker (Nathan) Porter of Warrior, AL; grandsons, Stephen O'Neil Coker of Tampa, FL, Mark P. (Dori) Carpenter of Hoover, AL and Alan E. (Brandi) Carpenter of Decatur, AL.; 6 great grandchildren; and sister, Violet A. Minor of Knoxville, TN. Graveside Services will be held Friday, July 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Valhalla Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Arthritis Foundation.