Rita Cooper
Rita Sheets Cooper, 93, of Chattanooga, died on April 21.
She grew up in Auburn, New York, spending most of her life in Chattanooga. She taught in Catholic and Chattanooga Public Schools for 16 years.
She was a longtime member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where she served on the Parish Council, the Chattanooga Deanery Council of Catholic Women, Church Women United and the Sts. Peter and Paul Women’s Guild. She served as director of Welfare for Ladies of Charity and was a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Raleigh E. (Bud) Cooper, children, Joseph L., Veronica E., and Mary Rita Cooper, and brother, Joseph P. Sheets.
She is survived by children Raleigh, (Alice) Cooper and Rose Anne (Keith) Fielder; daughter-in-law, Kaydee Cooper; grandchildren, Brent, Darin, Jennifer, Raleigh, and Christopher; great-grandchildren, Suzie, David, and Gavin; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. at Lane Funeral Home Ashland Terrace, on Sunday, April 26.
The funeral mass will be at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul at noon on Monday, April 27. Interment will be at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Maintenance Fund or Ladies of Charity.
Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, 423 877-3524.