Kathleen Esther Cooper

Gone But Never Possibly Forgotten

I could cry, and I will because you are gone.
Then I will remind myself that you would want me to stay strong.
You will stay in my thoughts and live in my heart.
You are gone, but you have left behind your mark.
We know this world will never be the same.

The loved ones you left behind will share memories in your name.
I shouldn’t be sad you are gone, but instead remind myself you lived
just how you wanted and on your terms.

Your personality is something I will always hold dear,
you were unapologetically you, you were mom, you were aunt,
you were grandma, you were a daughter, you were a wife
and you were a friend.

Through all your life you are a friend and confidant.
You are gone but never forgotten,
You will live on in all our minds and hearts, forevermore.

Poem for Grandma Katie
By Kimberly Henson

Kathleen “Katie” (Edmonds) Cooper, age 86, has left this world to be with our Lord on October 15, 2022 at Ozarks Healthcare Hospital, West Plains, Missouri.  Kathleen resided at Highway 17, Summersville, Missouri since 1989.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, Benjamin Franklin Cooper Sr; sisters: Meralou Petty, Grace Winstead and Ida Mae Harmon; brothers: James Edmonds and Teddy Edmonds; parents: Theodore and Louise Edmonds and a daughter-in-law, Jackie Cooper.

Kathleen is survived by her 5 children: Ruby Louise Hickes, Loma Sue Combites (Charles), Benjie Rae Henke (Evan), Samuel Cooper (Jana) and Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Cooper Jr; 17 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

When Kathleen first moved back to Missouri, she continued the day care service started by her mother-in-law, Ruby (Bolton) Cooper for many years.  She enjoyed many crafts, cards, family gatherings and camping.  Katie was an avid quilter, jewelry maker and crocheter.  She spent many hours working on the Edmonds genealogy, researching family lineage in America and Great Britain.  She traced the family American Indian line and received her tribal card.  Katie loved the outdoors, wide open spaces and learned how to camp and enjoy life.

Kathleen earned her diploma late in life and her family is extremely proud of her.  Whatever she set her mind to do, she completed.