Gladys Iola Dorton Cooper

Gladys Iola Dorton Cooper, 90, homemaker and long-time resident of Owen Avenue, died Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Maury Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Brother Rick Points officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to service time at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Notes of sympathy may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com. The Hickman County native was the daughter of the late John Pete Dorton and Sallie B McMeen Dorton. She married Ervin Cooper June 21, 1946. During their 59 year marriage, she was his helpmate doing benevolent work for the Highland Church of Christ. Mrs. Cooper also taught Sunday School for a number of years and kept children in her home for 20 years. Over the years, she enjoyed tending her flowers, gardening, and sewing. When failing health required her to be home-bound, she continued her Christian work by calling other members and shut-ins. Survivors include her children, Elmer (Pauline) Cooper and Vince Cooper of Columbia, and Elaine (DeWayne) Dougherty of Hampshire; grandchildren, Brian Cooper, Joshua Cooper, and Ashley Cooper, all of Columbia; a great-grandson, Brody Cooper of Columbia; sisters-in-law, Sue Cooper of Franklin and Lulye Dorton of Troy; brother-in-law, Dalton Cooper of Memphis; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Cooper on February 7, 2006; her maternal grandmother, by whom she was reared, Lura McMeen; daughter-in-law, Rebecca McNeese Cooper; son-in-law, Wally Rash; sister, Lizzie Dorton; brothers, Elbert Dorton, John Elmer Dorton, Henry Dorton, and Herbert Dorton. Active pallbearers are J. P. McMeen, Charles Norwood, Tim Rummage, Phillip Evers, Donnie Cooper, Lewis Daniel, David Heithcock, Doug Adkisson, and Steve "Bear" Stanfill. Honorary pallbearers include Frankie Mae Rhodes, Barbara Paisley, and Leon Stephens. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Doug Kennedy & Staff, NHC Columbia Health Care, especially Gail, Dottie, Megan, and Erin; Maury Regional Emergency Room Staff; Dr. Laurence Britt; critical care doctors and staff for their care and concern during her illness.