Dale A. Oakley

Dale A. Oakley, age 86, passed away on July 2, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Born on May 15, 1939, in Elmira, New York, Dale grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where her father designed and developed real estate properties. She often shared childhood memories of waterskiing along the intracoastal canals, riding horses with her sister, and performing on a competitive water ballet team. A dedicated dancer, she was invited to audition for the New York City Ballet upon graduation but chose instead to attend Rollins College and graduated with a degree in education.
While teaching high school in Atlanta, Dale met and married Jack Lee Cooper, whom she fondly described as "the smartest man I've ever known." During Jack's doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, their first daughter, Kristin, was born. The family later settled in Knoxville, where Jack joined the economics faculty at the University of Tennessee and their second daughter, Lori, was born.
Following Jack's passing, Dale married Raymond Oakley and welcomed his daughters, Janet and Robin, into the family. She earned a master's degree and became the executive director of a program for at-risk youth in North Carolina. Dale was a tireless advocate for "her kids," whom she grew very close to and who, in return, adored her. Despite being a new transplant in the small mountain town of Robbinsville, NC, she created a "A Country Christmas" talent show, which nearly the entire community supported. Proceeds from the show were given to her students to purchase much-needed items and presents for their families.
Dale truly loved people, especially those facing hardship, and believed deeply in the power of non-judgmental acceptance and kindness. Dale also had a deep love for animals and was a lifelong rescuer of birds, cats, dogs, and even a wayward chicken. Her home always included at least one animal rescued from an ill-fated future. On one occasion, she discreetly transported a fragile baby bird-boxed and wrapped like a birthday gift-on a flight to Florida to ensure she could continue caring for it over the family's vacation.
Dale was preceded in death by her first husband, Jack Cooper; her second husband, Raymond Oakley; her parents, Leonard and Vivian Corcoran; and her sister, Cinda Fenton. She is survived by her daughters, Kristin Williams (Mark) and Lori Cooper; stepdaughters, Robin Oakley and Janet Oakley (Gary); granddaughter, Anna Bryn Williams; and brother, Robert Corcoran.
The family recognizes her dearest friends, Kay Luttrell, Ann Ensor, Bev Rasku, and Joyce Grubbs, and extends gratitude for the compassionate caregivers at Concord Place. A private family ceremony will be held at Good Samaritan Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Young-Williams Animal Center or Good Samaritan Church. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Dale, please visit our Tree Store.