To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 10/8/21 • Approved: 10/8/21 • Last Updated: 10/11/21 • R461859-G461858-S3
January 29, 1886-April 9, 1938
Please see Cosper Family Marker
*Photo/information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
*Obituary
In the passing on Saturday of Mrs. E.T. Cosper, Wheeler loses one of its highly respected and greatly beloved citizens. Mrs. Cosper had been in failing health during the past two years and confined to her bed for several months. Yet through all her suffering and discomfort she was patient and cheerful.
Mary Hannah Caton was born Jan. 29, 1886, at Doretta, Ark., and died April 9, 1938, at Wheeler, Texas, at the age of 52 years, two months and 10 days. While only a child of seven, she moved with her parents to Jones county, Texas, locating near Stamford where she spent several years. When quite young she joined the Methodist church and remained a faithful and active member until death.
She was married to Edward T. Cosper on Jan. 8, 1917, and to this union were born four children, all of whom died in infancy except one son, Alvin, who died in 1928 at the age of 10 years.
Besides the faithful husband, she is survived by an adopted son, Billy Douglas Cosper; one sister, Mrs. George Shortt, Tahoka; three brothers, O.L. Caton, Stamford, J.M. and W.O. Caton, Waco; one niece, Mrs. Reuben Sharp, Pampa, who made her home with the Cospers for several years, and a number of other distant relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon from the Methodist church by Revs. J. Edmund Kirby, Ralls; Joe S. Strother, Miami, and E.C. Raney, local pastor.
Flower bearers were Mesdames John Lewis, H.M. Wiley, J.M. Porter, T.M. Britt, A.B. Crump, H.E. Nicholson, Buck Britt and Clarence Robison. Pallbearers were H.M. Wiley, John Lewis, A.B. Crump, C.J. Meek, W.W. Adams and R.H. Forrester.
Interment was made in the Wheeler cemetery under direction of the Wheeler Funeral Home.
-----
In Loving Tribute
Possessors of great treasures grow used to them. Constant dwellers amidst flowers are seldom conscious of their fragrance and the wonderful trills of the mockingbird from the peak of the roof is often unheard by the dwellers beneath; even so, great souls are taken for granted but how different the world would be without them. Though seemingly unconscious of their superior gifts they create an environment that lifts all life about them.
We have lost a friend who, for more than 20 years has made Wheeler richer, "gave beauty for ashes" and put into sad hearts a song. Mrs. E.T. Cosper was everyone's friend and the ideals she has implanted in the lives of the youth with whom she has worked will influence generations to come.
At some time during her stay with us she has worked in each department of her church, filling nearly every office; doing so humbly and well. It can be truly said of her, "she hath done what she could."
We do not ask to know why that beautiful life was cut so short, believing with the song writer that:
Not now but in the coming years,
It may be in the better land,
We'll read the meaning of our tears
And then, yes then, we'll understand.
We'll know why clouds instead of sun
Were over many a cherished plan,
Why songs had ceased when scarce begun,
Yes, this, someday we'll understand.
As her life inspired us to make more of ours, may her going with such confidence strengthen our faith in God's love and wisdom.
"We would not cling to His guiding hand
If the way was always bright.
We would not care to walk by faith,
Could we always walk by sight."
We, her companions in the church, W.M.S., Sunday school, and choir, join with her many friends everywhere in our sympathy to her loved ones.
Her Co-Workers
-----
We, the members of the Wednesday Study club, having loved Mrs. Cosper and rejoiced to have her as one of us and sorrowed at her going, wish to express our sympathy for her loved ones and as the influence of her beautiful life has been spread over ours covering many a weakness and healing many hurts, so we would spread this resolution to comfort them and to follow her example, on the page of our minutes.
Wednesday Study Club
-----
(Published in The Wheeler Times, Wheeler, Texas, Volume V-Number 17, Thursday, April 14, 1938, Page 1)
Contributed on 10/8/21
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 461859