Martha Sue Cooley

Martha Sue Gibbs Cooley, 71, went to be with the Lord peacefully on Wednesday, October 12, 2011. She and her husband Jack have been residents of Cleveland for 40 years. She was born September 10, 1940 in Athens, TN and graduated from McMinn County High School in 1958. A devoted follower of Christ, she exemplified love and grace as a precious wife, mother and grandmother, and is an inspiration and caring friend to many. She loved the church and devoted her life to serving God. She was retired from AT&T after 30 years of service. She was a member of Faith Memorial Church for 42 years where she was involved with the many programs that helped to meet the needs of others; coordinating the distribution of clothing and toys from the Storehouse for Needy, presenting honorary plaques and flowers, assisting Rev. Littlefield with visitation, helping Larry Green with the children and providing financial assistance to every facet of Faith Memorial Church. She was also caregiver to Reverend and Mrs. Littlefield. She was "Aunt Sue" to many, helping them in every way possible. She was preceded in death by her parents the late Boyd and Louise Gibbs of Athens, TN; three sisters, Joyce Terrace, Polly Ann Greene and Shelia Derrick Allen all of McMinn Co. Survivors include her devoted husband of 52 years, Jack J. Cooley, of Cleveland; one daughter, Abby E. "Beth" Cooley of Cleveland; two sons and daughters-in-law, Patrick J and Christi E. Cooley of Riceville and Steve and Alesia Rogers of Cleveland; one brother, Jack Gibbs of Whitesburg, beloved grandmother of 8; great-grandmother of 3; several nieces and nephews; two brothers-in-law, Johnny Terrace of Athens and Robert Allen of Calhoun and a host of many other family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 14, 2011 at Faith Memorial Church with the Reverend David Riggs officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with Patrick Cooley, Steve Rogers, Michael Stalens II, Eugeno D'Andria, Steve Hartline, Jr and Robert Thomas serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday at Fike Funeral Home and from 1:00-2:00 p.m. on Friday at the church prior to the service. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Cooley family guestbook at www.fikefh.com