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The United Methodist Church1995
Memphis Conference Journal 1995
In Memoriam
William Franklin Cooley
1904 - 1995
He was a Husband, Father, Grandfather, Greatgrandfather, Brother, Servant of God. William Franklin Cooley was all of these and more. He was a friend to more people than we will ever know, and we are grateful for his lifewith us, his ministry and his fellowship with the United Methodist Church, and his friendship with others. He was a Christian gentleman who chose to serve God above any other desire in his life.
Some called him Bill, some called him Frank, some just called him Cooley. When he was called, he answered to all of them. When God called him, a seventeen year old youth,to be his representative among his fellowmen, he was living in Obion County where he was born on April 15, 1904, to Ada Elizabeth and Amos Franklin Cooley. He had an older sister, Reba ( Graham ) and three brothers. Amos, Freddie and Paul who died in infancy or early childhood. He early learned the ways of God from a Christian mother, and he never strayed from God's calling in his life.
Frank and Anna Davis fell in love and were married on December 25, 1921. It was months after this union that God's call changed their lives. They left the farming community where both had grown up and set out together to do what God had asked of their lives. Education was obtained by thefinancial hardest, but he prevailed with Ann's help, and they reached the necessary goals to meet his high calling. Three children were born to them: Horace Franklin, Mildred Louise, and Marjorie Ruth.
He served churches in Western Kentucky: Cayce, his first appointment, Water Valley, and Bardwell. He served the majority of his appointments in West Tennessee: Alamo, Troy, Munford, ruceton, Decaturville, LaGrange - Moscow - Rossville, Henning - Durhamville, Raleigh, Henderson, Somerville, Newbern and Leington. In 1960 he went to Memphis to serve Parkway, Rebecca Memorial, and Jackson Avenue from which he retired in 1971. He served for many years as the Statistician of the Memphis Conference and did not miss an Annual Conference for sixty - seven years. His first absence was when his health failed, and he was no longer able to travel.
After retirement from the active ministry, he and Ann made their home together in Bartlett, Tennessee, until Ann's death in 1989. Their daughter, Mildred Cooley Roberson, also preceded him in death in 1989. In 1993 he moved to an assisted care facilityu and later to a nursing home where he died peacefully on Sunday morning, February 19, 1995.
Funeral services were held at Memphis Funeral Home, Poplar Chapel, on February 21 with Reverends Kenton Burnette, and Lowell Council officiating. He was interned in Stanley's Chapel Cemetery in Obion County beside his beloved wife, Ann. In addition to his son, Daughter and sister, he left six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many friends who loved him.
As a child I was happiest when I would walk with him, holding his hand. He taught me Heavenly Father would hold my hand. When he left us that Sunday morning, we had a strong grasp of the hand of the One in whose care he left us all. What greater legacy can a man leave behind? What greater soul can a man take to his God?
We know that we can fact tomorrow,
He led us to God who takes us on:
Though he died, we can hear the sorrow,
Because he did not leave us alone.
by Marjorie Cooley Bogue, Daughter
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