rharris's Journal

This is the eulogy I wrote for my mom, hoping to honor her to the extent that she deserved...probably not possible but I hope it will give you an idea of how beautiful and special she was...and how the world is just not so bright without her.  Thanks - B

Her favorite color was blue…her favorite flower was the chrysanthemum.  Her name is Gracie Lee Cooper.  If you knew her, you loved her.  If you didn’t, let us give you a glimpse of this beautiful woman we call Mom.

She was the second of four daughters born to Worley & Bessie Britt on Nov. 16, 1950, in Carter County, TN.  They were a poor family and her upbringing was not an easy one.  One must know that this is where she developed such an inner strength and will to survive that carried her through this life.

Gracie was a devoted wife.  In 1969, she met Gary Cooper at the local skating rink.  She kept falling and although Gary couldn’t skate any better, he went out and tried to keep her on her feet.  She was working at a diner when he proposed.  Gary asked if she would attend a wedding with him and she told him sorry, she had to work.  He said he guessed there just wouldn’t be a wedding then.  They were married April 19, 1969 in an old hardware store in SC.  He stopped short of the state line and made her walk across so that everyone would know she went willingly.  There were married almost 40 years.  It was a month after she was diagnosed with cancer, on Nov. 26, 2008, that she said good-bye to Gary, after he passed away from a sudden heart attack.  Maybe God knew that he couldn’t handle what was to come with her health and took him home first.

Gracie was a loving mom, who made her three girls the center of her world.  She and Gary welcomed three daughters to this world, Kathy, on Feb. 3, 1970; Lisa, on April 9, 1971, and Becky, on Nov. 26, 1973.  Despite her many God-given gifts and talents, Gracie was obviously meant to be a mama.  She worked hard and spent all her extra time with her girls.  They were a rich family – not in monetary wealth but in love.  Her girls didn’t realize until they were older that they were poor because she always provided everything they needed.  They had each other and that family bond carried them through every hardship.  There were many times that there wasn’t enough food.  She was one of those moms who suddenly didn’t like what they were eating anyway.  She could make food for two enough for five and they never went to bed hungry.

Gracie was a Christian.  Every Sunday, she wrestled her three stubborn girls out of bed and took them to services at New Salem Baptist Church in Limestone, TN.  At the age of 32, she gave her heart to Jesus and was saved and baptized at that same church.  She never wavered in her faith and love, even through her battle with cancer and the loss of her husband.  She instilled this faith in her girls that has carried them through this past year.  Without knowing it, Gracie prepared them far in advance for the hardships to come.  There is no better gift a mother can give her children.

Gracie was a grandmother & great-grandmother to Chris, Hollie, Dustin, Christian, Ethan, CJ & Kira.  With as much love as she gave her girls, she embraced these children and loved them with her whole heart.  She and Gary loved nothing more than to take them to the flea market or somewhere to buy them things.  There was something special about Mamaw Grace and her grandchildren knew it.

Gracie was a sister – to Lynn, Betty & Helen.  While these sisters are scattered in different states, she kept in touch and maintained a special bond with each of them. The love and support she received from her sisters during her battle with cancer brought Grace peace and comfort, joy and a sense of security in knowing the depth of their love for her. 

From her daughters:

Throughout Mom’s battle with cancer, we prayed for healing.  For God to take this cancer away and let us keep her just a bit longer, just one more day.  Towards the end, her suffering became so great, that we couldn’t bear to see it anymore.  So we prayed for Heaven or healing, His will, but for Him to take her from the suffering that she was enduring.  He chose Heaven. 

Mom was beautiful, inside and out, but she never knew just how much.  She was kind and gentle, helping anyone who needed it, loving hurts away and lifting others up even when she was so sick, she could barely help herself. She was strong and determined.  Cancer took her life but it never broke her spirit or weakened her faith in her God.  She smiled through her fear.  She was our security and safety when life took wrong turns and our cheering section when things were good.  She wiped our tears and held our hands from the time we were born…up until her death.  She still tried to take care of us instead of herself.  We thank God for His healing power…although her healing is in Heaven.  We told her to go ahead…we’ll catch up soon.