Rita Cooper

Rita Sheets Cooper, 93, of Chattanooga passed away April 21, 2105. She grew up in Auburn, N.Y., spending most of her life in Chattanooga. She taught in Catholic and Chattanooga Public Schools for 16 years. She was a longtime member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church where she served on the Parish Council, the Chattanooga Deanery Council of Catholic Women, Church Women United and the Sts. Peter and Paul Womens Guild. She served as Director of Welfare for Ladies of Charity and was a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raleigh E. (Bud) Cooper; children, Joseph L., Veronica E. and Mary Rita Cooper; and brother, Joseph P. Sheets. Survived by children, Raleigh (Alice) Cooper and Rose Anne (Keith) Fielder; daughter-in-law, Kaydee Cooper; grandchildren, Brent, Darin, Jennifer, Raleigh, and Christopher; great-grandchildren, Suzie, David and Gavin; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Lane Funeral Home Ashland Terrace. The Funeral Mass will be at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul at noon Monday, April 27. Interment will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul Maintenance Fund or Ladies of Charity. Arrangements by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace. 423-877-3524