Frances Cooper

Mae Frances Cooper, 88, formerly of Coffeyville, Kansas, died Sunday afternoon, July 25, 2010 at Comfort Care Homes of Wichita. Frances was born May 1, 1922 at Independence, Kansas to Bert Smith and Nancy Chouteau Smith. She grew up in the CoffeyvilleIndependence area and graduated from Coffeyville Junior College and later, Pittsburg Teachers College. Frances taught school in Montgomery County and Coffeyville. She married Jack Eldon Cooper on August 15, 1948 in Coffeyville. The couple owned and operated Coopers Flower Shop in downtown Coffeyville for many years. Mr. Cooper preceded his wife in death September 20, 1993. Frances moved to Wichita in 2004. She was a member of Coffeyvilles First United Methodist Church and Benton Methodist Church, Benton, Kansas. Frances enjoy pottery, sewing and crossstitch in her younger years. Survivors include a daughterinlaw, Liz Cooper of Andover, Kansas two sisters, Mary Siegele of Houston, Texas and Beth Vining of St. Joseph, Missouri and two adopted granddaughters. She was a loving aunt to six nieces and nephews and 13 grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by both parents by her husband by a son, Jerry Cooper on August 26, 2008 and by a brother, Boyd Smith. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery with Pastor Rob Schmutz officiating. Service and interment are under the direction of PenwellGabels FordWulfBruns Chapel. No formal visitation will be held but friends are invited to sign the register book at the funeral home until service time Wednesday. The family suggests that donations be made to the Benton Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Coffeyville or the Salvation Army. Donations may be left at the funeral home. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.penwellgabelcoffeyville.com.