Louise Marie Cooper

REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE WELL LIVED. A FAITHFUL, GENTLE SERVANT. At times her faith was all she had, but her faith was enough. Our precious mother wrote in her bible, The glory was always the Lord's, even in the hardest of times. Our mother wasn’t famous, wealthy or worldly. She won’t go down in history but she knew HIS story, Gods story. She is not an author of any books, but read the bible and knew the author well. She would never approve of any attention that might be gained from this biography, however, I would like to take the time to share how truly precious and remarkable she was. While playing in the yard on Christmas day in 1936, a young, eight year old, Louise Marie Massengill asked Jesus to be her Savior. When asking Jesus into her heart, she sweetly sang, the hymn, "Where We'll Never Grow Old." At the age of sixteen, she would be baptized in Beaver Creek, and thus began the journey of a life of steadfast and unwavering devotion to God. She grew up on the banks of the Clinch River in Anderson County, TN. She often told stories of sweeping the dirt floor of their tent and how her Cherokee grandmother, Morningstar, traded eggs for candy at the Massengill store. A crate in the river served to hold and keep cold their dairy products. Mom would graduate the eighth grade at Medford School in Anderson County and later attended Halls High School. At the age of eighteen she would marry Herbert Cooper. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies... She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands... She riseth Also While it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household... Proverbs 31: 10,13, 15 A faithful wife and mother, Louise married and raised seven children. With hands that were never idle, she would rise early and work until late in the evening. Always tending to children, making clothes, gardening flowers, and toiling over a vegetable garden . Making memories in her home since 1946, Louise was graciously proud that her life was dedicated to serving her God , her husband, her children and working in her home. She shared the Lord, and His word, with her children through the life she lived so humbly and gratefully. Taking her children to church for Sunday worship was a way of life in the Cooper household. She spent decades planting, harvesting, and preparing meals from what she had canned or frozen. Often making four course meals out of a seemingly bare pantry. She is known for her chocolate pies, caramel cake, chicken & dumplings, apple dumplings, and cobblers, just to name a few. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms... She layeth her hands to the spindle... She stretcheth out her hand to the poor: yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy... Proverbs 31: 17,19,20 Never did this devoted woman win contests, make recordings, or delight in fame, but her gentle, loving spirit was always a model to those who were fortunate enough to know her. She filled her home with the melodies of her heart. Always praising the Lord in a joyful song. With the talents of her hands she would spend countless hours crocheting things to adorn her modest home. Sewing by both hand and machine, her family was often clothed by her skillful hands. Quilts she made by hand would keep her family warm. On many occasions, even with a house full of hungry mouths to feed, there would always be room at her table for another. She wasn’t royalty, in fact most of her life she was poor in the world‘s view, but is more precious than rubies in God's. Now she sets at the throne of the King. “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God .”With a selfless and generous spirit, Mom would often give of her purse when needed, even when it was all she had. She gave a widows mite and sacrificed her entire life to give to others, she was truly, the hands and feet of Jesus. Mom was not rich in coins and jewels, but wealthy in the heart of Christ, "Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" She expected nothing but was thankful for even the smallest of things.She loved to work in her flowers. She had two green thumbs and eight green fingers. She was fond of Iris’s, Tulips, roses, Violets, Tiger Lilies, Snowball bushes, Rose of Sharon, and Lilac bushes, just to name a few. She knew the meanings of the color and kind of the flowers she grew. Her kitchen window sills were adorned with Violet’s that until recently had lasted over 35 years. Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come... She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness... She looketh well to to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness Proverbs 31: 25, 26, 27 Mom was an unending, prayer warrior. She would endlessly pray for those she knew and loved. With seven children and many grandchildren, it was a full-time job. In her bible, mom had written down verses detailing the force of prayer, victorious praying, the faith of prayer, faithfulness in prayer and the focus of prayer. Jamie, a adopted in love daughter, spoke at the service about when she sat with mom at the hospital, and how Mom going in and out of consciousness praying for her family members a total of an hour and half. She was thoughtful and caring, and one of her gifts was being an attentive listener. She had the most loving way of remembering and making you feel like your hopes and dreams really mattered. That whether or not they ever came true, dreams were important and so was the one who had them. She made the "least of these", the unfortunate or the ones that had made wrong choices feel special and that they were loved, unconditionally. Even with a limited income, whether homemade or bought, Mom would always make sure each member of her family would have a gift from her on special occasions. She always wanted them to know, they were thought of...they mattered to her. Mom would always say, " I love all my children and love them all the same", even when most would not. “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.” Her humble life and the difficulties she faced shows how forgiving, gentle, full of grace, speaks of her kindness when others were not. Her children arise up, and call her blessed...Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised...Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31: 28, 30, 31 The life and legacy of this special woman, precious mother, loving grandmother, sweet sister, and kindhearted friend, is one of a humble heart, but rich in Christ. It should be valued beyond compare. For those who surrender a life of rags for those of God's riches, you too can know the glory of the Lord. Mom left this world in an eighty-seven year old body, but she knew; even at the tender age of eight, she was going to a place... WHERE SHE'LL NEVER GROW OLD. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness... meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” Your smiling face and kind words will linger in our memories forever Mom lived life full of grace, moral integrity, purpose, diligence and forgiveness. In every circumstance she prayed, praised, and was FAITHFUL. .Her parting words to her children, grandchildren was to, " Trust God, believe in God, believe in yourself." Mom had a special place in her heart for one of her sons, Brian. This section is dedicated to him. Brian cared for mom in her home when everyone else couldn't or wasn't available. He stayed with mom through some of the most trying times they each would face. Brian would walk for miles, ride the bus for hours, just to spend the day with her regardless of the weather. He rarely ever missed a day to visit her over the last few years she was in the nursing home. It took me years to realize and accept that the truth of the matter was, Mom was the happiest when Brian was near. They have a mother-son connection that melts even the coldest of heart. He made her laugh and could calm her fears. He knew the foods she did and did not like, where or how she was the most comfortable, how she liked her hair, clothes, etc. This love was seen in life and near death, that after several days of mom not eating or drinking, frail and not speaking, the day before she died, she reached up, pulled at Brian's shirt and told him, "I love you." I would also like to thank Edwina Blair Moore who without fail, would visit mom every other day, sometimes more, plus anytime there was a problem or concern. She was mom's advocate so many times and was instrumental in getting mom to hospital when needed. Jamie Blair Byrd visited weekly bringing ice cream and her husband Steve made mom her favorite deli sandwich.I would also like to thank Pam Kitchen who without her I would not be able to put into words what a precious person mom was. ..