Evelyn Elaine Cooley

Evelyn Cooley, 89, of Unionville, Missouri, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.  She had been a resident there for about six years.

Evelyn Elaine Cooley was born in Greencastle, Missouri, on July 26, 1934, the daughter of Elbert Hartley and Vivah Doris (Taylor) Howard.  She lived in Greencastle until the family moved to the Gravel Ridge community of Putnam County in 1947.  She graduated from Unionville High School in 1952.  Evelyn married O. Earl Cooley on August 3, 1952, and to this union three children were born.  She is survived by her son, Richard Cooley of Kearney, Nebraska; Deborah (Robert) Jones of Terre Haute, Indiana; and Leota (David) Rummerfield of Kirksville, Missouri; one sister, Clio (Robert) Torrey of Overland Park, Kansas; ten grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Jessica Ann Jones.

Evelyn accepted the Lord as Savior and was baptized on November 16, 1952.  She was a member of the Lucerne Christian Church and transferred her membership to the Unionville First Christian Church when she moved to Unionville.  Evelyn was a homemaker, loved gardening and farming, was a 4-H leader, and loved cooking and baking as well as making quilts for members of her family.  She loved the animals on the farm, especially the horses. Evelyn’s children recognized her secret mission was to set a humble Christian example by sacrificially giving to them at all times.  After moving to Unionville, she worked as a realtor for Century 21, was employed by the Alamo Hotel, worked at Warner Drug, and assisted elderly members of the community.

Memorial services for Evelyn will be Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Lucerne Christian Church at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Inurnment will be at the Lucerne Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to Hospice of NE Missouri, PC Café and Resource Center, or Lucerne Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.