Anna Louise Cooley

1935 - 2019

Anna Louise Cooley succumbed to her battle of Alzheimer’s on January 12, 2019.

Anna was born on June 18, 1935, in Sikeston, Missouri, to Charles Huffman and Venus Hillburn Huffman. When Anna was young, the family moved to Fresno, California. She became a big sister to Janet, Charlene, and a brother Sonny Boy, who passed away at an early age. Anna was going to school to become a nurse but met and married the love of her life, Robert M. Cooley, known as “Spade.” They were married over 50 years when he passed.

Together they had two children, Robert “Chuck” Cooley and Kimberli Cooley Gile. They adopted two more - Martha and Suzy. Anna was known as “Nana” to her 13 grandchildren and her 26 great grandchildren

Anna worked for VTC as an instructor and, after her more than 30 years of service, she retired but returned and worked in the admin office, where she greeted all the students when they got off the bus. Anna was a huge part of the beginning of VTC; she worked countless hours on the Benefit Ball Committee raising thousands of dollars for VTC.

Anna was proceeded in death by her husband Robert “Spade” Cooley and her parents. She is survived by her children Robert “Chuck” Cooley (Sherry), Kim Gile (Bill), Martha Ruiz (Frank), and Suzy Rodriquez (Ronnie), her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held January 26, 2019, at 1pm at Hope Community Church, 3010 Skyway Dr., Suite F, Santa Maria, California, with Pastor Phil May officiating.

In lieu of flowers, you can make a donation in her honor to VTC, 2445 A Street, Santa Maria, CA 93455.