COOLEY, Dorothy Marie "Ginger" (Edwards) - b. August 6, 1945 - d. July 24, 2024

[patyrn]

Dorothy Marie "Ginger" Cooley, born on August 6, 1945 in Independence, Kansas, passed away at her home in Longton, Kansas surrounded with love on July 24, 2024 at the age of 78.  Affectionately known as "Ginger" or "Gigi", she was the fourth of eleven children born to Merrill Montgomery and Bonnie Isabell (Troutman) Edwards.

Ginger attended school in Elk Falls, Kansas and graduated from Moline High School in Moline, Kansas.  Known for her boundless kindness and radiant smile, she touched many lives throughout her journey.  On October 20, 1967, she married Jerry Alan Cooley in Howard, Kansas.  Their union was blessed with a beautiful family, and they worked tirelessly through life's ups and downs raising their family.

Ginger had a diverse career and was dedicated to her work at Longton Grocery, Elk Valley Schools Food Service, and a lifetime of her families' different cafes.  Beyond her professional life, her interests were sewing, raising babies, teaching Sunday School, attending yearly Bible schools in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas, and enjoying day trips with her sisters and friends.  Her enthusiasm for life and unwavering dedication to her family and community were evident in everything she did.

A devout member of the Longton Christadelphia Ecclesia, she lived her faith through her actions and commitment to her Ecclesia.

Ginger leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with her surviving family including her children, Jerrod (Jenny) Cooley, Belinda (Justin) Corle, Timothy (Lora) Cooley, Gordon (Jessica) Cooley, and Charity (Paul) Bower; and  21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with one more on the way who will forever hold her close in their hearts.  Additionally, she leaves her siblings, Steve (Carmen) Edwards, Ginny Mechtley, Ronnie (Joyce) Edwards, Jo (Ronny) Vestal, Lotus McDow, and Robby Edwards; numerous nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters in Christ and friends that became family.  She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jerry Cooley; her daughter, Patricia Cooley; her great-grandson, Kaden Scott; and her siblings, Patty Mars, Marty Edwards, Kenny Edwards, and Kay Claytor.

Ginger's life will be celebrated with a graveside service at the Elk Falls Cemetery in Elk Falls, Kansas on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, parents, siblings, and great-grandson.  Arrangements have been entrusted to David W. Barnes Funeral Home of Coffeyville, Kansas.

(taken from the David W. Barnes Funeral Home website)