Mary Martha Cooper

Mary Martha “Dinky” Crooks Cooper, born November 20, 1944, daughter of Mary Browning and John C. Crooks, wife of Cleveland Cooper, expired January 30, 2016 after a long two year battle with cancer.

Mary was born and grew up in the Lake James area of Burke County and attended Glen Alpine School.  She returned to school after rearing her children, and graduated from Western Piedmont Community College with a nursing degree.  She began her nursing career as a surgical unit nurse at Catawba Hospital in Hickory.  Later, she found her favored field was psychiatric nursing and attained her goal as a certified psychiatric registered nurse.  She retired after many years as the Nursing Director of Foothills Detox Center.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Cleveland Cooper; her parents; sisters, Naomi Crooks Johnson and her husband, Karl of Ft. Myers Beach, FL., Pauline Crooks Yancey, of Glen Alpine; two infant sisters, Minnie Belle and one at birth; Aunt Laura Crooks Dellinger, who made her home with the family, like a second mother; a brother, Earl Crooks and his wife, Muriel; and also, a brother-in-law, Alfred Stamey.

Leaving to mourn her are sons, Scott Epley and wife, Shelley of Harrisburg, NC, Bryan Epley of Hiddenite, NC; daughter, Pamela Epley of Morganton; beloved grandchildren, Caitlin Avery Cheney, and Spencer and Garrison Epley.  Additional family left behind are, Louise Crooks Stamey of Dotham, AL, John Crooks, Jr. and wife, Belle of Morganton, Nancy Crooks Newton of Morganton; James “Jim” Crooks of Lake James, Carl C. Crooks and wife, Alice of Hildebran, Annie L. Crooks Jaynes and husband, Carrol of Charleston, TN.  Her teasing, playful, presence will be missed by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  “Dinky” also leaves behind a dear friend, companion, and caregiver, Mark West, who was like a son.  Missing her desperately are her beloved cats, Spike, Lucky, Princess and Bootsie, all whom are rescue cats with the exception of Spike.

The family will receive friends Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home.  The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burke County Friends for Animals, PO Box 1884, Morganton, NC  28680 or Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC  28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.