Mamie Cooper Rathburn

Mamie Cooper Rathburn, 77, of Morganton died Sunday, October 12, 2008, at Grace Heights follow a period of declining health. Mrs. Rathburn was born in Avery County on December 25, 1930 and was a daughter of the late George Washington Cooper and Jane Turbyfield Cooper. Mrs. Rathburn was retired from Ellis Hosiery in Hickory but her life work was beside of her husband, Frank, on the family farm. Mamie was raised in the Baptist faith and attended local Baptist churches.Surviving are her sons, Bobby Rathburn and his fiancée, Donna Edmisten, of Morganton and Kermit Rathburn of Hildebran; sisters, Molly Penland of Hillsborough, NC and Bessie Irene Knight of Steel, AL; a brother, Robert Cooper, of Charlotte; grandchildren, Darrell, Iris, Angelica, Shawn, Nikki, Bobby Shey, and Buffy; and seven great-grandchildren. Mamie will be remembered by her family as a very caring, loving, and highly spirited person.In addition to her parents, Mamie was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Eugene Rathburn, three brothers, and four sisters.Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, October 13, 2008, at Chapel Hill Church Cemetery in Marion with Rev. Gyles Widner officiating. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.