Martha Agnes Hooker Cooper Donaldson's Obituary
Martha Agnes Hooker Cooper Donaldson, died peacefully at her home in Scottsdale,AZ on July 17, 2010. She was born to the late James Edward and Myrtle Johnson Hooker on September 27, 1924. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Wesson Donaldson, her sisters Maude Hooker, Dorothy Stamps, and a step-sister Rosalee McGaughy, her brother James “Jay” Hooker, Jr., step-brothers, Cleo Hooker, Thomas Hooker and her granddaughter Wendy Nicole Dickens McCammon. She was a devoted and beloved mother who took every opportunity to spend time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved all creatures great and small, and was tireless in her efforts to rescue, care for, and find homes for the many abandoned and abused animals that came into her life. She was an avid reader with an enormous curiosity for a wide range of subjects. She lived in Memphis much of her life, where she leaves behind many wonderful friends who remember her fondly as “Billie”, her childhood name. She was a member of the Eastern Star and the DAR. She is survived by her daughters Brenda Cooper McKnatt (Don) of New Albany, MS, with whom she shared much laughter, Cynthia Cooper of Scottsdale, AZ ,with whom she lived and who cared for her beyond measure during her struggle with Dementia, her daughter-in-law, Amy Bray, her sons, Frank H Cooper, Jr.(David da Ponte) of Memphis, Martin “Eddie” Cooper of Memphis, and Steven C Cooper, Sr. of Phoenix, AZ; her grandchildren, Steven “Topper” Cooper, Jr., Don “Buster” McKnatt Jr., Elizabeth Agnes McKnatt, Natalie Christine Cooper, Aaron Dickens, Parker Cooper, and Ian da Ponte Cooper; and five great-grandchildren, Sara Treece, Chance Cooper, Alexander Cooper Dickens, Hannah Cooper and Faith McKnatt. She also leaves her sister Mabel “Pete” Anderson, her life long friends, Alma Cooper Brewer and Frank H. Cooper, Sr, along with Dorothy V. Cooper and many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her for her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes that would light up every room she entered, for her great kindness, generosity and enduring spirit of optimism. The family will receive visitors Friday, July 23, 2010 from 5 to 8 P M at Memorial Park Funeral Home 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis,TN. The Funeral service will be Saturday, July 24, 2010 at 3 P M at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 700 Poplar Avenue. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Alzheimer’s Society, Memphis Humane Society or the charity of the donor’s choice.
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