Obituary of Ann Goode Cooper

Ann Hope Goode Cooper, 74, of Hiltons, went home to be with the Lord and her family, November 19, 2013. Born on January 16, 1939 in the living room of the Goode homeplace on the Holston River, Ann was the only surviving child of George P. Goode and Bettie Bowlin Goode. She was educated at Hilton Elementary/ High School and a member of the first graduating class of Gate City High School in 1957. She continued her education at Berea College, Berea, Ky, graduated from Steed Business College in Johnson City, received her B.S. in Education from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City and did extensive graduate work through the University of Virginia. She was an author, historian, school teacher, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all. Above all she was a born again Christian, faithfully serving the Lord all her life. She was an ordained home missionary with the Church of God. Ann began her teaching career at Cold Springs Elementary in Bristol, continued at West View Elementary in Kingsport and then made her way back to her alma mater, Hilton Elementary, where she taught many years before ill health forced her into retirement. At that time she began her writing career. She was the author of twelve published books and spent hours in the surrounding classrooms reading to children and instilling a love for the written word. Her legacy will long be remembered. She was preceded in death by her parents, George P. Goode (1968) and Bettie Bowlin Goode (2001) ; infant brother, Billy Goode; infant sister, Edna Goode; granddaughter, Allena Corann Bright; father and mother in law, Willie and Lillie Cooper. Left to cherish her memory is her loving and dedicated husband, Benjamin L. Cooper; daughter, Hope Cooper Bright; granddaughter, Cori Gilliam; a special first cousin, Bayard Good, who was like a brother to her; seventeen brothers and sisters in law; a host of cousins and many more caring family members and friends. Visitation will be held Friday, November 22, 2013 from 4 till 7pm at Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City. A homegoing celebration will be conducted at 7pm in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Bill Porter, Rev. Rex McMurray and her first cousin, Kenneth C. Bowlin, officiating. Music will be provided by the Benton Family, the Bowlin Family and Loren Harris. Graveside services will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 12noon at the Spurrier Cemetery, overlooking Ann's Holston River home, Spurrier Cemetery Road, off Hwy. 58, Hiltons, Virginia. Those wishing to go in procession to the cemetery, please meet at the funeral home by 10:45am. Pallbeaers will be Allen Bright, Terry Gardner, Marvin Gardner, Mike Shaffer, Randy Hartsock, Wayne Goode, Rhea Miller, Dirk Johnson, Joe Bays and Trevor Keller. Honorary Pallbearers will be former teachers and coworkers of Hilton Elementary School and classmates from GCHS Class of 1957. The family will not receive friends at the home; but friends may visit, bring food and share memories with the family on Thursday, November 21, 2013 from 3 til 7pm at the Nottingham United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Gate City, VA. The family wishes to thank Dr. Steve Adkins; The staff of Advanced Home Health Care; the staff of Senior Citizen Services; Kelly Fugate, LeeAnn McCollough and Jean Bellamy; nurses and staff of 3rd floor Wilcox Hall and Hospice team for the love and care shown to Ann in her final days. You may honor Mrs. Cooper's memory by supporting her love of children and books, by giving a memorial donation to the Hilton Elementary School Library, 303 Academy Drive Hiltons, Virginia 24258, book will be purchased for the library in her memory.