LETHA MAE COOPER

Mrs. Letha Mae Cooper, 78, formerly of Plainville, Illinois, died at 4:02 p.m. Wednesday (May 7, 2008) in the home of her daughter, Doris "Dory" Black and family in Hamilton, Illinois.

Born April 17, 1930 in Payson, Letha was the daughter of Ira and Tina Embree Hull. On May 12, 1950 she married the love of her life, Vernon G. "Bog" Cooper in Payson. They renewed their wedding vows on their Golden Anniversary in 2000 at the Richfield Methodist Church. Vernon preceded her in death on November 23, 2006.

Letha was a member of the Richfield Methodist Church where she enjoyed playing in Granny's Kitchen Band. She also enjoyed Bingo, word search puzzles and cherished the time she spent with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and her beloved Jack Russel Terrier, Deuce.

A graduate of Payson High School, Letha devoted her life to raising and caring for her family.

Survivors include her daughter, Doris "Dory" Black and her husband Charles of Hamilton, IL.; four sons, Kenneth Lloyd Cooper, Gary Lee Cooper and Bob J. Cooper and his wife Debbie all of Quincy and Vernon Clarence Cooper and his wife Nancy of Canton, OH.; 14 grandchildren, Austin Black of Hamilton, IL, Steven Rice and his wife Carrie, Mike Cooper, Beth Oakley and friend Matthew Olps, Mary Riggs and her husband Bob, Josh Cooper and his wife Patty, Justin Cooper, Erik Cooper and Jodi Cooper and friend Chad Koutz all of Quincy, Richard Cooper and his wife Melissa of Hannibal, MO., Travis Cooper and his wife Shannon, and Shawn Cooper both of Plainville, Amy Rice, Tom Rice and friend Jennifer Thompson both of Kirksville, MO.; 9 great grandchildren, Ella Rice, Anthony Cooper and Alex Cooper all of Quincy, Gavin Cooper of Rolla, MO., Tadan Cooper of Plainville, Anne Cooper, Quentin Cooper and Jeremy Cooper all of Hannibal, MO., and Kamron Rice of Kirksville, MO.; her mother, Tina Oitker of Barry, IL.; a sister, Betty Stout of Plainville, IL.; two sisters in law, Pansy Brewer of Avoca, AR and Catherine Hankins and her husband Jim of Barry, IL.; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Cooper was preceded in death by her husband of 56 1/2 years, Vernon; her father, Ira Hull; her step father, Fred N. Oitker; and a brother, Donald Hull.

Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 1:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Payson by the Rev. Stacy Tomich and Rev. Ron Cox. Burial will be in the Payson New Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday evening from 4:00 to 7:00 and Monday until the time of services at the funeral home in Payson.

Memorials may be made to the Payson New Cemetery Association or the Richfield Methodist Church.