Our beloved mother, Thelma Reed Cooley, age 94, passed into a better life on March 25, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. She was a kind Christian woman who lived her faith in her deeds. She was a thoughtful and loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother & Great Grandmother. Her strength and calm in the face of any challenge, gave her family a great sense of security.

She was born February 27, 1916 to Etta Ann and Harry Myers. Thelma grew up during the dust bowl, on a farm near Gage, Oklahoma. In 1933, when the family could no longer survive on the farm, they moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma. This was just before her senior year of high school. That adjustment was difficult for her, but she was determined to succeed. She worked summers to pay for her college education. After two years she received her teaching certificate and taught in a one room country school. She continued to attend summer school until she graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State College in 1942. Later that summer she married a local farmer, Wesley Reed of Lamont, and became a farm wife. Her love of children led her to begin teaching again after her daughter and son were in grade school. She taught a total of 36 years, at first in country schools and finally in the Lamont-Deer Creek elementary school. Thelma had high standards for her students, but she was fair and kind. She had worked hard and achieved and believed anyone could do the same. She was very proud of all her students because she knew that they were working at their highest level. She was very involved in her school and her community.

After 25 years of marriage, Wesley suffered a fatal heart attack, leaving Thelma to continue her work. She leased the land, but managed the farming business until late in her life. She was very interested in the Reed family farm and had always been a great support to her husband. She was a widow for 14 years. During that time she traveled with friends to Europe, Scandinavia, Great Britain and all over the US and Canada.

In 1982 she met and married Rev Raymond Cooley, of the Blackwell First United Methodist Church. They also were married for 25 years, until his death in 2008. Until Raymond retired, she enjoyed being a minister's wife. After they had both retired, they continued to live in Blackwell and traveled throughout the United States with friends. They also visited their children in Seattle, Orlando, Houston, San Antonio and Oklahoma.

Thelma was a longtime member of the Lamont United Methodist Church. She later held membership in the Blackwell United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. Among her many civic activities she was as a member of Beta Sigma Phi (holding many offices) Blackwell Regional Hospital Auxiliary (2,245 hours of service) Red Cross volunteer, ABWA member, Kay County conservation District award for good farming practices and Grant County Teacher of the year. She served as President and held other offices in the Grant County Teachers association and volunteered as a 4-H sponsor for 10 years.

In 2004 Thelma and Raymond moved to San Antonio, Texas to be near Lila and her family. They were both in ill health but reluctant to leave their home and Oklahoma. They came to enjoy the warm sunny climate and sometimes would say. "We should have done this sooner." After Raymond's death in 2008, Thelma was lonely, but continued to appreciate the staff and residents at her assisted living apartment. Her mind was sharp and she retained her dry sense of humor, with a twinkle in her eye. She was dressed every morning, with her hair fixed, make-up on, looking like she was going to church. She lived a full, happy life and treasured her family and friends, as they did her.

She is survived by seven children and their spouses, Lila Reed and Charles Roberts of San Antonio, Texas, John and Susan Reed of Stanwood, Washington, Ed and Ginger Cooley of Longwood, Florida, Mike and Tobi Cooley of Magnolia, Texas, Ruth and G.W. Hicks of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Ramona and Barry Rossen of Piedmont, Oklahoma, and Rachel and Jim Tarantola of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Myers of The Woodlands, Texas; and nine grandchildren, Leiana Victor of San Antonio, Texas, Holly Baldwin of Longview, Texas, Angela Mikos of Atlanta, Georgia, Lisa Davies of Atlanta, Georgia, Christina Cooley of Charlotte, North Carolina, Chris Cooley of Kingwood, Texas, Casey Kent of Cypress, Texas , Gregory Hicks of Weatherford, Oklahoma, and Amber Hopkins of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Survivors also include twelve great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wesley Reed and Raymond Cooley, her parents, two sisters, Lavada Scott, Audrey Myers and a brother, Howard Myers.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 30th in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Kristen L. Brown of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the New Home Cemetery in Eddy, Oklahoma.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Monday evening, March 29th from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Blackwell United Methodist Church, Chancel Choir Fund, 524 W. Coolidge, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631 or in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.