Mary Edna Meb Cooper

Mary Edna Cooper August 12, 1922 May 25, 2011 Mary Edna Meb Cooper, devoted loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, went to be with her Lord on May 25, 2011. A private graveside burial service will be Tuesday morning at Waco Memorial Park. A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m., May 31, in the Garden Room at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home with reception following. A viewing will be 6:00-8:00 p.m., May 30, in the Garden Room at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Meb was born August 12, 1922, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Ora Belle and William Boyd. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1940. Later she moved to Houston to begin her employment with Hughes Tool Company. It was there she met her future husband, Joe Cooper. Shortly thereafter, while visiting her parents, she told her mother she had met the man she was going to marry. Meb and Joe were married eight weeks later on November 14, 1942. Their daughter, Virginia Ruth, was born in 1944, followed by the birth of another daughter, Jacqueline Karol, in 1945. Later, they moved to Waco where they would reside for over 50 years. A very important event in the early years of Meb's family was joining First Methodist Church. Over the years she, Joe and the girls would form many close relationships with others in this beloved church friendships that would last a lifetime. Meb and Joe belonged to the Odell Dudley Sunday School Class and were always involved in various areas of the church. Meb and Joe, along with their daughters, attended church and Sunday school every Sunday. Afterward, it became a tradition for them to have lunch at the downtown Piccadilly Cafeteria, which usually consisted of visiting and eating with close friends. As their daughters grew, Meb was very active in their school activities, accepting the position of room mother many years. A wonderful seamstress, she made all her daughters' clothes, including special dresses for Christmas, Easter, piano recitals and Cotillion. She was a devoted wife and mother, a wonderful cook, kept a beautiful home and was always there for her family. Meb loved baking and made delicious cookies that she took to her neighbors. She and Joe grew beautiful roses in their backyard and many times, Mom took bouquets to friends. After their daughters were grown, Meb went to work for Cox's Department Store and was there for 27 years until she retired. She loved her work and made many wonderful friends. She was very well thought of and respected by everyone. After Joe passed away in 1998, Meb continued to be at church every Sunday for worship. One of her favorite activities on Sunday mornings was greeting everyone. She also loved attending various Bible studies and mid-week activities. Meb loved baking and made delicious cookies that she took to her neighbors. She and Joe grew beautiful roses in their backyard and many times, Mom took bouquets to friends. Preceding her in death are many loved ones her husband; parents; brother, Bill Boyd; granddaughter, Angela Ruth Raymond; and pets, Sue, Joy and Punkin. Meb is survived by daughters, Jenny Raymond and husband, Bob, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, and Karol Blakey of Woodway; sister, Anna Ruth French, of St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren, Jeff Raymond and wife, Julie, Mary Karol McGee and husband, Craig, and Sara Raymond; and eight great grandchildren. We would like to thank Dr. Ross Shipp for his many years of compassionate care. We would also like to thank the nurses, aides and other staff at Wesley Woods for their excellent care and kindness over the years. We are also very appreciative for the tender loving care that was shown to our mother by Providence Hospice. We will miss our mother. We will miss her beautiful blue eyes, her smile, her touch, and her unconditional love. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Waco, Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center and Central Texas Senior Ministry. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey