EUPHENIA DIFFEE COOPER

MARGARET EUPHENIA DIFFEE COOPER, well-known resident of Whiteville for many years and a person who maintained a long and active presence in the business, religious and public affairs of her community died Tuesday morning, February 9, 2010 at the National HealthCare Center in Somerville, where she had been a patient for four weeks. She was 93 years of age.

A Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Cooper was conducted at 2 P.M. Thursday, February 11th at the Whiteville First Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Sorrell, Pastor of the church, officiating. Interment followed in the Crowder Cemetery at Whiteville. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes-Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mrs. Cooper was born August 18, 1916 in the Williston Community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Will Diffee and Addie Mae Price Diffee, early residents of Fayette County.

She was educated in the Fayette County Public School System and was a graduate of Fayette County High School in Somerville, Class of 1934. She will be remembered as an outstanding basketball player during her school years.

Mrs. Cooper was married December 27, 1937 to Carlton Zachary Cooper of Whiteville, a well-known Whiteville Merchant who preceded her in death on July 17, 1993.

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper owned and operated Cooper's Grocery in Whiteville for many years before retiring. They developed lasting friendships with their many patrons for whom they provided groceries, hardware and feed. For a number of years they also operated a Black Angus cattle farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were avid travelers and enjoyed music and ballroom dancing throughout their marriage.

Mrs. Cooper enjoyed University of Memphis and University of Tennessee Ladies Basketball games and was also an enthusiastic "Grizzlies" fan in later years. Her beloved pets were a very important part of her life.

She was a devoted member of the Whiteville First Baptist Church where she participated in numerous church programs. Her most cherished memories were made around the family she held so dear. Those who knew her best were blessed by her warm smile and uplifting spirit.

Survivors of Mrs. Cooper include one sister, Mrs. Leona Diffee (Buck) Graham of Somerville and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews, many of whom reside in Hardeman and Fayette County.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Mrs. Lillian Ballard of Somerville.

Those honored to serve as casket bearers were Kel Blanton, Miles Clifft, Jimmy Joyner, Hulon Lessell, Robert Logan, Larry Peterson and Bob Pinner.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Whiteville First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 5, Whiteville, TN, 38075; Phone: (731) 254-8024.