Mary M. Cooper

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Mary Margaret Cooper, age 87 of San Antonio, Texas, and formerly of the Charleston-Ashmore area, went to her Heavenly Home on Sunday, March 31, 2019.  Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  The Funeral Service, honoring and celebrating her life, will begin at noon on Saturday with Pastor Curt Weaver officiating.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.  Donations in her honor may be made to the American Kidney Fund and left at the visitation/service or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Mary was born March 7, 1932 in Charleston, Illinois to the late John A. and Mayme I. (McGahan) Drake.  She married Max T. Cooper on June 21, 1952 in Charleston and shared nearly 64 years of marriage prior to his death on May 17, 2016.  Left to cherish their many memories is her daughter, Marcie Smith and husband Roscoe “Bart” Smith III of San Antonio; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Cooper of Charleston; six grandchildren, Amanda (Eric) Durbin, Tara (Shawn) Misner, Megan (Gabriel) Martin, Andrew Cooper, Kimberly Cooper and boyfriend Luke Plummer, and Clayton Cooper; 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gerald (Ina Rae) Drake of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Roy (Sharon) Drake of Charleston; and numerous nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded by her son, Mark Cooper; two brothers, Bill and Dale Drake; and two sisters, Martha Vanlanot and Edna Lee.

Mary was a graduate of Charleston High School.  She loved children and for many years operated a daycare in her home.  She later worked at the Cricket Cage Gift Shop located on the Charleston Square and assisted her husband with the clerical duties at his real estate and insurance office located in Ashmore.  She was a member of the Ashmore United Presbyterian Church and the Order of Eastern Star – Ashmore Chapter. 

Mary enjoyed sharing life with Max, which included many evenings of square dancing and playing cards with friends and family.  They were involved in the Ashmore Community and Mary was truly honored to share with him the honor of being Grand Marshalls for the Ashmore Days Parade and festivities.  Mary was an exceptional seamstress, a marvelous cook, enjoyed oil painting, and meticulously tended to her beautiful flower gardens.  She often took time to watch the various species of birds and always enjoyed the companionship of her dog, Sophie.  Mary was a kind and gentle woman who shared a smile with everyone she met.  Her love for family was unconditional and as a mother and grandmother – she was simply “the best”!