Florence Manuel Cooper, 100, of Terre Haute, passed away, May 9, 2019, peacefully in her home with her loving family at her side. Florence was born May 26, 1918, in Mattoon, Illinois, the daughter of the late Clyde and Lettie (Bell) Manuel.
Florence is survived by her son, Angelo; and daughter, Beverly; thirty-two grandchildren; fifty-nine great-grandchildren; thirty-one great-great-grandchildren; twenty-three five generations; daughters-in-law, Sheila, Brenda, Betty, Edith, Monica and Julia; one son-in-law, Nate Sr.; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Manuel, Edith Thomas and Bonnie Hatter; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Cooper; seven sons, Gary, Anthony, Manuel, Rocco, Keith, Garold Wayne and David; three daughters, Pamela, Bonita and Brenda Sue Utley; and her parents, Clyde and Lettie Manuel; five brothers, Clyde Jr., James, Russell, Eugene and Ralph; four sisters, Margaret, Vauda, Ruth and Pauline; and her in-laws, John and Ruby (Shepard) Cooper.
Florence attended and graduated from Concannon High School. As she worked through the years, her fondest memories were working with children. She worked for twenty-seven years at the Charles T. Hyte Community Center, where she was a role model and mentor to many children; five years at the Light House mission; and nine years at the Rose Southside Daycare Center, retiring in February 1993.
Florence showed unconditional love for her family and friends. She was an exceptional cook and loved preparing meals for family and friends. No one ever walked away from her table hungry.
Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at noon, in Samaritan Funeral Home, 2425 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute, Indiana, with Steven Smith officiating the services. Visitation will be May 21, 2019, from 4 to 8 p.m. Care and arrangements have been entrusted to Samaritan Funeral
Home and online condolences can be left at:
www.samaritanfunerals.com