Betty Cooper
Betty Kneer Mann Cooper, 93, a longtime Chattanoogan, died on Sunday, May 10, 2015, at her Signal Mountain home.
Betty was a Proverbs 31 woman--“an excellent wife,” “ a woman of strength and dignity,” one who “didn’t eat the bread of idleness.” “ Her children rise up and call her blessed.”
She served enthusiastically, generously and with integrity in business, in church, in the community and at home.
She had been president of Cooper’s Office Supply, once Chattanooga’s oldest office products dealer, founded by her husband in 1931 and later run by two of her sons. She was a premier saleswoman. She also had worked in the 1990 Census.
She ably performed many tasks at several United Methodist churches, especially as a faithful choir member and member of the United Methodist Women. Most recently she had belonged to Signal Crest United Methodist Church. Previously she was active at Christ UMC, Trinity-Woodmore UMC and Wesley Memorial UMC. She had a firm faith in Jesus Christ.
Betty served her country as a WAAC in World War II. She was a Cub Scout den mother and served as a school crossing guard. She served a four-year term as a popular mayor of Ridgeside (Shepherd Hills). She was a longtime member, president and Woman of the Year of the Chattanooga Opti-Mrs. Club. She had been a volunteer instructor with Chattanooga R.E.A.D. She was involved with the board of residents at Alexian Village and its continuing education program. She had belonged to the Missionary Ridge Garden Club.
She regularly attended her children’s activities and was engaged with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, gardening, painting, traveling, bridge, crossword puzzles, the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, entertaining and experimenting with new recipes. In her ‘70s, ‘80s and into her ‘90s, she used her computer daily as a learner, an encourager and a communicator.
She was born in St. Joseph, Mo. When she was nine, her father moved his business to Oklahoma City, where she lived until marriage.
She was a graduate of Oklahoma City Central High School and attended Iowa State University and Oklahoma State University. She was a Kappa Delta alumna and supporter of the Chattanooga chapter.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, George Cooper Jr.; parents , Loftin H. Mann and Jeannette Mann Lackey; brother, Loftin H. Mann Jr.; and sister, Jeannette M. Stewart.
She is survived by her five children, George A. (Pat) Cooper, David C. (Christine) Cooper; Clint H. (Donna) Cooper; Jan A. (Rich Bayer) Cooper; and Charles L. (Laura) Cooper; grandchildren, Alan (Jennifer) Cooper, George Cooper, Scott (Molly) Cooper, Patrick Cooper, Wynston Cooper, Natalie Cooper, Loftin Cooper and Emma Bayer; great-granddaughters, Kate Cooper, Mattie Cooper, Clarke Rose Cooper and Austin Cooper; sister, Dorothy Cameron, Houston, TX; brother, Dr. David (Dr. Susan) Mann, Louisville, Kentucky; sister-in-law, Hanna Mann, Plano, Texas; brother-in-law Brian Stewart, Florissant, Co.; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at Signal Crest United Methodist Church, Signal Mountain, with the Reverend Beth Sullivan officiating and family members participating.
Interment will be private at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, and for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Signal Crest United Methodist Church, 1005 Ridgeway Avenue, Signal Mountain, Tn. 37377, or Volunteers in Medicine, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37411.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.
Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, East Chapel, 404 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37412.
Betty Cooper