Bessie Gilbert Cooper, 84, of Mt. Vernon died 6:06 a.m. Nov. 6, 2004, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

She was a nurse's aide at Mt. Vernon T.B. Hospital and also for Hickory Grove Nursing Home.

Mrs. Cooper was born Sept. 5, 1920, in Bonnie to Nathan and Susan (Beaty) Parr.

She first married Neal Gilbert Dec. 18, 1936, in St. Louis; he died May 29, 1967.

She then married Chester Cooper Aug. 12, 1972, in Mt. Vernon; he died in April of 2004.

Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bethel Memorial Cemetery. The Rev. Jerry Montgomery will officiate. Those attending the service are asked to go directly to the cemetery on Tuesday afternoon. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Mrs. Cooper is survived by daughters Mary Lou Williams and husband Terrance of Garden Grove, Calif., and Kay Clary of Mt. Vernon; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a stepson, Edmond Cooper of Mt. Vernon; a stepdaughter, Janette Faseno of Wood River; three stepgrandchildren; 2 stepgreat-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands; a daughter, Betty Gilbert Weems; five brothers; two sisters; and a son-in-law, Richard Clary.

Mrs. Cooper was a member of South Side Baptist Church and Varnell Rebekah Lodge 296.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the donor's choice and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Hughey Funeral Home, where you may call 242-3348 for obituary information at any time.

Source: Register-News, Mt Vernon IL
Date: 10 Nov 2004
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman