Eula Cooper

(From Ulmer Funeral Home)

Eula Mae Gilbreath Radford Cooper passed away July 10, 2016 at her apartment in St. Luke’s Nursing Center at the age of 97. 

She was born June 8, 1919, to Fannie Madge Hall and Bruce Emerson Gilbreath, west of Avilla, Mo. She attended the Sunflower Country School. Later she moved to Joplin and graduated from the Joplin Memorial High School in 1938. Eula Mae worked at Kress Dime Store, in the office of Ramsey’s Dry Goods Store, Bank of Carthage, all located in Carthage, then Hercules Powder Company office in Joplin, Mo, and for Civil Defense in Des Moines, Iowa. 

She married Alvin Webster Radford on November 3, 1946. For 33 years they lived on their farm southeast of Jasper, Mo. before retiring to Heritage Acres of Joplin. While in Jasper she was president of the Jasper School PTA and the District PTA. She joined the Peerless Chapter #75 Order of the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Matron in 1952 and as District Deputy Grand Matron of the 44th District in 1956, being a member for 69 years. Eula Mae was a community leader of Clover 4-H Club in Jasper, joined the Social Order of Beaucants in Carthage, was a member of the Jasper United Methodist Church, and a member of the Jasper Chamber of Commerce. She also worked as assistant secretary for Jasper County Farm Bureau, serving as county chairman of the Women’s Committee and also District Chairman. In addition, she volunteered for the American Red Cross and Bloodmobile serving on the Red Cross board for many years. She helped to organize an ambulance service in Jasper – serving as secretary, passed the college training course, and volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician on the ambulance for 4 years. As a member of the Jasper Methodist Church Eula Mae and Alvin taught a Sunday School class and she sang in the church choir, and raised funds for missions. 

In Carthage she continued her work for UMC missions that she began at 12 years old. Eula Mae, known as the “Teddy Bear Lady,” loved to share her bears with everyone, especially the kids who loved them, too. She will be remembered by many for all the greeting cards and newspaper clippings that she sent.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin, her first husband, Joe Cooper, her 2nd husband, two sisters—Ollene Alexander and Pauline Murray, and brother Carroll Gilbreath. She is survived by a daughter, Marsha Schilb and husband, Larry, of Overland Park, KS, her granddaughter, Jennifer Schilb of Dallas, Texas, and a brother Rev. Byron Gilbreath of Raymore, Mo. 

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday July 15, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church of Carthage. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. July 14, 2016 at Ulmer Funeral Home. Burial will be at Paradise Cemetery at I-49 & Friday July 15, 2016 immediately after the service. Contributions are requested for the Carthage United Methodist Church in lieu of flowers in care of Ulmer Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.ulmerfh.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home