Bertha Mae Cooper, 97, passed away Wed., Nov. 13 at her home. Services will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 5144 Oak St., Kansas City, MO, at 3:00PM with a visitation from 2:00-3:00pm. Burial will be in Mt Moriah Cemetery. Bertha was born Feb. 26, 1916 in Lebanon, MO, she was 1 of 15 chil- dren born to Harvey and Ada Bow- man. She spent ages 4 through 13 as a patient at Children's Mercy Hospi- tal. She returned to Lebanon and graduated from Lebanon High School. She then went on to receive her teaching certificate from the state of Missouri and graduated from Draughon Business University in Springfield, MO. She worked at the Laclede County Court House un- til she met and married Allen Cooper in 1939. They resided in Kansas City where they raised two sons Allen and JD. In gratitude to Children's Mercy Hospital Bertha spent much of her life involved in numerous organiza- tions including the Maywood Club, PEO, Eastern Star and American Mothers. She was also President of over 25 other clubs and service or- ganizations in the Kansas City area. She was an active member of Cen- tral United Methodist Church since 1939 and a charter member of the Crusaders Class. In 1979 Bertha was honored as Missouri Mother of the Year which was chosen by the American Mother's Committee Inc. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband Allen, son Allen, her grandson Matthew James and 11 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her son JD and his wife Jeanne, daughter-in-law Carol, grandsons Douglas and his wife PJ and daugh- ter Bridget, and grandson Edward and wife Theresa and great- grandchildren Danielle and Matthew and great great granddaughter Evelynn Mae. The family will be forever grateful to all the staff at Kingswood As- sisted Living for their support, care and for loving her. We appreciate the dignified quality of life that they were able to provide her these last six years. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Children's Mercy Hospital or The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or a charity of your choice . Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com Mt Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home. 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131. (816) 942-2004 www.mtmoriah-freeman.com

Published in Kansas City Star on Nov. 15, 2013