Celebrating the life of
Mary Emmeline Cooper
September 10, 1929 - December 26, 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.
FOX AND WEEKS FUNERAL DIRECTORS HODGSON CHAPEL
Please sign our guestbook online at www.foxandweeks.com
Deep in December it's nice to remember - although you know the snow will follow. Deep in December it's nice to remember - without a hurt the heart is hollow. Deep in December it's nice to remember - and follow. Follow, follow, follow.... Emmeline, we will remember - always.
- Susan Roberts Frampton, Summerville, SC
Emmaline was unfailingly gracious to all and especially to our son, Gabriel, as he grew up in Christ Church Savannah where Emmaline worked as Sunday School Director for many years. Emmaline demonstrated her Randolph Macon Women's College education as she participated in intellectual and artistic pursuits. A great lady, a wonderful person, a caring presence, always. We will miss her.
- Gabriel and Lewis Leonard, Patricia Stringer, Savannah, GA
Emmeline always inspired me with her intelligence and her grace. We will miss her greatly. She was loved here on earth and she will be loved in Heaven. Emmeline mi mancherai moltissimo! Con amore, Anna
- Anna Brancato, Savannah, GA
My prayers and thoughts are with your family. She was a wonderful person and added so much to our church. She is sadly missed.
- Judith S. Kessler, Savannah, GA
I saw her only last week and she was her always cheerful self dispite a recent fall. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
- Roberta Smith, MD, Savannah, GA
My love and prayers are with you all. Mrs. Cooper was my favorite S.L.D. Teacher. She taught me to tie a square knot on my sailor dress; I was very pleased with myself then. She was so kind and patient. We will all miss her a great deal. Warmly, Nita Ann
- Nita Ann Knight Klein, Savannah, GA
The ditty Miz 'Line taught my sister Susan and me keeps running over in my head. Only four words, 'Viva viva la musica' still works after 40 years, and will always be on our playlist. Goodnight sweet Princess, flights of angels take thee to thy rest.
- Arthur Roberts, Atlanta, GA
A bright light has gone out in our lives. We will always cherish the countless smiles laughs that she gave us.
- Michael T. Owens, Savannah, GA
A bright light has gone out in our lives. We will always cherish the countless smiles and laughs that she gave us.
- Michael T. Owens, Savannah, GA
Deep in December it's nice to remember - although you know the snow will follow. Deep in December it's nice to remember - without a hurt the heart is hollow. Deep in December it's nice to remember - and follow. Follow, follow, follow.... Emmeline, we will remember - always.
- Susan Roberts Frampton, Summerville, SC
Emmaline was unfailingly gracious to all and especially to our son, Gabriel, as he grew up in Christ Church Savannah where Emmaline worked as Sunday School Director for many years. Emmaline demonstrated her Randolph Macon Women's College education as she participated in intellectual and artistic pursuits. A great lady, a wonderful person, a caring presence, always. We will miss her.
- Gabriel and Lewis Leonard, Patricia Stringer, Savannah, GA
Emmeline always inspired me with her intelligence and her grace. We will miss her greatly. She was loved here on earth and she will be loved in Heaven. Emmeline mi mancherai moltissimo! Con amore, Anna
- Anna Brancato, Savannah, GA
My prayers and thoughts are with your family. She was a wonderful person and added so much to our church. She is sadly missed.
- Judith S. Kessler, Savannah, GA
I saw her only last week and she was her always cheerful self dispite a recent fall. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
- Roberta Smith, MD, Savannah, GA
My love and prayers are with you all. Mrs. Cooper was my favorite S.L.D. Teacher. She taught me to tie a square knot on my sailor dress; I was very pleased with myself then. She was so kind and patient. We will all miss her a great deal. Warmly, Nita Ann
- Nita Ann Knight Klein, Savannah, GA
The ditty Miz 'Line taught my sister Susan and me keeps running over in my head. Only four words, 'Viva viva la musica' still works after 40 years, and will always be on our playlist. Goodnight sweet Princess, flights of angels take thee to thy rest.
- Arthur Roberts, Atlanta, GA
A bright light has gone out in our lives. We will always cherish the countless smiles laughs that she gave us.
- Michael T. Owens, Savannah, GA
A bright light has gone out in our lives. We will always cherish the countless smiles and laughs that she gave us.
- Michael T. Owens, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
