Dear Caldwell Family:
A memorial service for longtime Caldwell member Martha Cooper will be held in our sanctuary tomorrow, Wednesday, July 14, at 2 p.m.
Mrs. Cooper had been unable to attend in recent years, though she was an avid supporter of Caldwell and took joy in its resurrection. In recent visits with her and her family, I’ve heard wonderful stories of how their family’s history is intertwined with Caldwell’s. Mrs. Cooper’s grandparents were the first couple married here, when it was still Knox Presbyterian Church, in 1914, only days after the church opened. The family shared priceless photos of that event, held in what is now the Shelby Room, which was the original sanctuary of the church.
When I visited Mrs. Cooper at her home, she and her daughter, Anne Schout, shared many wonderful stories of their years at Caldwell. We give great thanks for her life and the support of three generations of her family. Below is the obituary.
Peace be with you. John
Martha Wilma Petteway Cooper
Mrs. Cooper, 94, of Charlotte passed away peacefully on July 11, 2010 at her home.
Services in celebration of her life will be held on 2PM, Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Interment will be private at Oaklawn Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved late husband of over 50 years, P. H. Cooper, who passed in 1997.
Mrs. Cooper was a lifelong Charlotte resident, born on April 30, 1916, daughter of the late Dr. George H. and Bonnie Austin Petteway. Martha was a direct descendant of the Polks, some of the original settlers of Mecklenburg County. She was a 1933 graduate of Central High School and graduated from Queens University in 1937, where she was May Queen in 1937 and was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity, where she was president for three years. She continued supporting Queens University by becoming an Advisor to the Queens University chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity. Mrs. Cooper was a lifelong member of Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. She was a member of Halifax Convention chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution where she served as Regent of the chapter. Martha gave tirelessly of her time and talents with the YWCA, where she served on several committees; Queens University, where she was a past president of the Alumnae Association; The Mint Museum of Art Auxiliary, where she volunteered in the gift shop for many years; and at the Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, where she was active in fundraising to save and restore the homesite, first president of its auxiliary and on its Board of Directors.
Survivors include her daughter, Anne Cooper Schout and son-in-law, James W. Schout, both of Charlotte, and by one granddaughter, Hillary Schout of Atlanta.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or to Caldwell Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1609 E. 5th St., Charlotte, NC 28204.
Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. Online guestbook available at www.heritagefuneral.net.
Published in Charlotte Observer on July 13, 2010