Mary Margaret Cooper

Mary Margaret Cooper, age 81, of Mt. Vernon, died at 7:50 a.m. Saturday, February 21, 2004 at St. Marys Good Samaritan Regional Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
She was born September 2, 1922 in Rushville, Ill., the daughter of Claire Abner and Ann Margaret (Perkins) Rowland.  
Mary was a graduate of Rushville High School and attended Western Illinois University.  She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.  She taught music at Casey Junior High School for several years, was also a Licensed Practical Nurse and an organist at the First Presbyterian Church for many years.
Mrs. Cooper was also the first female to serve on the Jefferson County Board.  She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association, N.E.A., I.E.A., Order of the Eastern Star, First Day Singers and Musicians Union #348.
Survivors include four sons, Mac and wife Barbara Cooper of Rushville, Joe and wife Jo Dawn Cooper of Mt. Carmel, Duff Cooper of Bradenton, Fla. and Tad and wife Susan Cooper of Du Quoin; one daughter, Lucy and husband Stephen Kozak of Bradenton, Fla.; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Anna Bess Street, formerly of Bradenton, Fla.
Memorial services were held on Tuesday, February 24 at 7 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with Rev. Paul Widicus officiating.
The family received friends from 6 p.m. until the hour of service on Tuesday.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Rushville.  Interment was at a later date at Rushville City Cemetery. 
