CHRISTINE MARIE COOLEY

Christine Marie (Rea) Cooley of Colorado City, Texas went home to be with her Lord on March 25, 2012 at the age of 80. She was born to John Arther and Della (Gardner) Rea on August 26, 1931 at Zack Ridge Community near Marshall, Arkansas. After losing her mother as an infant she was raised by her grandmother and uncle. She attended Zack Ridge Country School and graduated from there in 1949. She married Clyde L. Cooley in Clinton, Arkansas, on March 25, 1949. They moved to Burkburnett, Texas in 1952 and then to Colorado City in 1959.
Coming to Colorado City she worked in various jobs, as a waitress at the Baker Hotel, a seamstress at the Walls Clothing Factory and as the CISD Cafeteria Director, when she retired in 1994. She was active in her community which included Business Professional Women's Club for 30 years, Mitchell County Retired Teachers Association, and Mitchell County Hospital Auxiliary. She was named BPW Woman of the Year at the local and district levels. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Colorado City, and served as a Sunday School teacher and other various committees. She loved cooking, sewing, bowling, traveling, and watching sports, but her greatest love was her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Wilhelmina (Minnie) E Atteberry, uncle Lawrence Gardner, brother Leroy Rea and her parents.
She is survived by her son, Leon and Marlene Cooley of Albuquerque, New Mexico, three daughters, Mary Lou and Bill Helton of Odessa, Texas, Connie and Kyle Baker, and Penny and Scott Gassiot of Colorado City, Texas; her grand-children, Wendy and Tim Cook, Keira and Jason Gilbert, Amber Cooley, Kevin and Jessica Cooley, Allen and Stacy Cooley, Elizabeth and Ryan Sikes, Micah and Mindy Brannan, Genece Brannan and Michael Fontenot, and Aimee Gassiot, and sixteen great grandchildren.
She was loved very much and will be greatly missed. Funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church in Colorado City, Texas on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Jerry Shields presiding. Burial will follow in the Colorado City Cemetery under the direction of Kiker Seale Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mitchell County Hospital Auxiliary or First Baptist Church Save the Windows Campaign.