Mary Emmeline King Cooper

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Celebrating the life of
Mary Emmeline King CooperDecember 28, 2007 - December 28, 2007

Mary Emmeline King Cooper, 78, beloved wife of Robert Scotland Cooper died Wednesday evening Dec. 26, 2007. She lived her life with grace and dignity despite years of living with multiple sclerosis. She confronted the difficulties of her disease bravely and without complaint, but finally succumbed to mounting complications quietly and with her family close.
Emmeline was born on her birthday Sept 10, 1929, in New York City to Dr. Ruskin and Mary Justice King. The Kings moved to Savannah in 1934 where Dr. King established one of the city’s earliest pediatric practices. Dr. and Mrs. King both died in 1982 within a few days of one another.
Emmeline loved people and music. She played recorder and sang and occasionally made command appearances with the local music group the Crabettes. An active and involved member of Asbury Memorial Methodist Church, she was records keeper for the choir and sang alto. She loved languages and taught herself Italian. She made several trips to Italy and enjoyed learning about new places and meeting people.
She loved to spend time with old friends and easily made new ones. She had a way of making others feel special. She and Robert entertained often and became famous for her soup.
Emmeline and Robert met in Savannah in 1954. He was working for the U.S. Corps of Engineers and she a recent graduate of Randolph Macon Women’s College was working at WTOC. They were wed on September 10, 1955 and soon moved to Buffalo, NY, where their first son Ruskin King Cooper was born on Sept. 28, 1957. They moved back to Savannah in 1958. Robert Scotland Cooper Junior was born on Dec. 3, 1959. Graham Patteson Weisiger Cooper was born June 23, 1970.
They were some of the early pioneers in historic Savannah, purchasing a home at 105 West Perry Street at a time when most of downtown Savannah had been abandoned and was desolate. But others soon followed and reclaimed the historic resource that has helped make Savannah a model worldwide of urban renewal. She was Historic Savannah Foundation’s first secretary when their offices were located on West Hull Street.
Emmeline became head of the Specific Learning Disabilities department at Savannah Country Day School and continued there until 1980. She went to work for Christ Church and was the lay assistant heading the educational programs.
In 1997, the Coopers moved to a home on Kentucky Avenue in Gordonston. She became involved in the Gordonston Neighborhood Assn. and prepared the monthly newsletter. She and her friend Polly Wylly Cooper wrote A Visitor’s Guide to Historic Savannah. The companion piece A Savannah Safari became one of the more popular attractions for Girl Scout troops visiting Savannah.
Emmeline leaves behind her loving husband and sons, her grandsons Benjamin King and Samuel Mallard Cooper sons of Graham and Lisa Blackburn Cooper and granddaughters, Valerie Emmeline and Hedda Eugenie King Cooper daughters of Robert Jr. Her sister Judith King Watson and her husband Benjamin live in Asheville, NC. She leaves dozens of nieces and nephews each of whose names she would remember and a host of close friends who know who they are.
The family wishes to thank and acknowledge the staff and congregation of Asbury Memorial Methodist Church and especially Billy Hester whom Emmeline loved.
Her family already misses her though her passing is still fresh it is difficult to imagine a world without her light and her positive outlook. She was never down even to her final goodbyes.
There will be a celebration of her life at Asbury Memorial Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday Dec. 29, 2007. Remembrances may be made to Asbury Memorial Methodist Church.

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GUEST BOOK

Our thoughts and prayers have been with all of you. We are glad to have the memories of our visit in November. Greggy will remember his very special godmother.

- Tim, Elena, Ashley and Greggy Sellers, Redmond, WA

I am saddened to hear that Emmeline has passed. She truly had a gift for making others feel special, and I feel privileged to have known her. My thoughts and prayers are with your family through this difficult time. Sincerely, Richard Schulze, Jr.

- Richard, Savannah, GA

Our first memories of Emmeline were from SCDS when Graham and our youngest daugher Kathy were classmates. After graduation we moms formed our Mom's Lunch Bunch and have had many happy times together over the years keeping track of all the 'kids.' Emmeline was a gracious, lovely person and I shall miss her calm, caring presence.

- Barbara and Tom Hetherington, Savannah, GA

Dear Robert and family and friends: please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I have been going to Asbury for several months now and always enjoyed Emmeline's beautiful smile and presence. I have known her for about 10 years. She truly is a beautiful,gracious lady. Polly and I talked and reminised this morning on the phone. May the peace of the Lord be with each of you. Martha Hicks Ellzey Southern Hospitality Tours

- Martha Hicks Ellzey, Savannah, GA

Dear Dear Robert, Ruskin, and Family, What sadness to hear from Mary Elfner this morning of Emmeline's passing. Even as I write 'what sadness,' I hear Emmeline's voice saying/singing 'what joy, what joy'! I will miss so much singing with her, speaking Italian with her, laughing and rejoicing with her, listening to her and my mom play recorders, listening to my all-time favorite duo Robert and Emmeline singing the greatest hits, and so much more. All my love goes out to you. I only wish I could be there to celebrate her life with you at Asbury. Know that I am there in spirit and sending much love also from my mother Inge, and my partner Mick. Peace with harmony, Elise

- Elise Witt, Pine Lake, GA

Graham and Lisa, My prayers are with you at this sad time.

- Beverly Carson, Savannah, GA

PLEASE ACCEPT MY HEARTFELT SYMPATHY AT THIS TIME OF YOUR MOST GREIVOUS LOSS, ROBERT. BEST REGARDS, SAM

- SAM G. ADLER, JR., LENEXA, KS

Robert, Pat and I were so sorry to hear from Ruskin of Emmeline's passing. Please know we are thinking of you at this sad and difficult time. We shall always remember Emmeline for her warmth and unfailing good humor, and we shall always remember the many happy times we spent in her company. Words fail, but please know our hearts reach out to you and yours with deepest sympathy at this time. Jim and Pat Ambrose

- James and Patricia Ambrose, Sarasota, FL