Mrs. Elsie, as we all called her, was family in every way that counted to us; though we did not share the same blood.
She and her brother, Oscar Cooper, whom we called "Beep-Beep", lived across the street from my grandparents' house and were a part of our lives since long before my birth.
The woman - even in old age, when I knew her - was a firecracker.
My grandfather would regale us with stories about Mrs. Elsie, back in the 50s, arriving to church every Sunday just *after* Mass had started. She would make a grand entrance. The priest would pause as the huge doors swung open loudly, and Mrs. Elsie - always in a large, ostentatious and brand new hat - would walk down the aisle, all eyes on her, to the very first pew. She would take her seat, and the priest would resume with Mass.
I can still remember her standing on her little porch yelling for her small, black poodle, CoCo, at the top of her lungs. Sometimes she would bring out a small cap gun and fire it into the air. CoCo was a rather nervous little dog.
In her 40s, she drove a school bus - a job she enjoyed and that earned her a reputation as a tough but lovable favorite among the children.
Her life, lived boldly, was not without tragedy. In 1963, Elsie and her best friend, Billie Matherne, were involved in a terrible car accident. Elsie, driving the car, barely survived. Billie did not.
The shared grief and mourning brought Elsie and her best friend's husband, T.B. Matherne, together and they were married a few years later.
Elsie Matherne was loud, brash, and bawdy, with a devilishly funny sense of humor. She was also strong-willed and passionate, and made sure she always got what she wanted. Our lives are all a little less bright without her in them.
---
She was the daughter of Oscar and Sophie Cooper, and was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Oscar Cooper.
----
Inscription:
Celebrate, for this soul was lost,
but now she she has been found.
----
Obituary:
MATHERNE, ELSIE MAE COOPER
A retired school bus driver and an Avon representative for 25 years, she died Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 10:15 p.m. at Summit Hospital, Baton Rouge. She was 86 and a resident of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home, New Roads, and a native of Maringouin. Visiting at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11140 La. 77, Maringouin, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, celebrated by the Rev. Shelton Fabre. Interment in church cemetery. Survived by three nieces, Doris Benton of Baton Rouge, Barbara Jones of Alexandria and Dottie Ewing and husband J. Ewing of Innis; and two nephews, Richard Cooper of Batchelor and Valerie Cooper Jr. of San Diego. Preceded in death by her husband, T.B. Matherne; parents, Oscar and Sophie Cooper; three brothers, Oscar, John and Valery Cooper; a sister, Ira Mae Cooper Lambdin; and a great-niece, Traci Lynn Benton. Pallbearers will be Riley Prestenback, Keith Prestenback, Johnny Bourke, Johnny Bourke Jr., Robert Prestenback and Amber Bourke. She will always be remembered by her zest for life, outgoing vibrant personality and love for her family and friends. Special thanks to the staffs of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home and Summit Hospital for their caretaking skills and support. Arrangements handled by A. Wesley Funeral Home, 10810 Ventress Drive, Maringouin, 225-625-2383.
She and her brother, Oscar Cooper, whom we called "Beep-Beep", lived across the street from my grandparents' house and were a part of our lives since long before my birth.
The woman - even in old age, when I knew her - was a firecracker.
My grandfather would regale us with stories about Mrs. Elsie, back in the 50s, arriving to church every Sunday just *after* Mass had started. She would make a grand entrance. The priest would pause as the huge doors swung open loudly, and Mrs. Elsie - always in a large, ostentatious and brand new hat - would walk down the aisle, all eyes on her, to the very first pew. She would take her seat, and the priest would resume with Mass.
I can still remember her standing on her little porch yelling for her small, black poodle, CoCo, at the top of her lungs. Sometimes she would bring out a small cap gun and fire it into the air. CoCo was a rather nervous little dog.
In her 40s, she drove a school bus - a job she enjoyed and that earned her a reputation as a tough but lovable favorite among the children.
Her life, lived boldly, was not without tragedy. In 1963, Elsie and her best friend, Billie Matherne, were involved in a terrible car accident. Elsie, driving the car, barely survived. Billie did not.
The shared grief and mourning brought Elsie and her best friend's husband, T.B. Matherne, together and they were married a few years later.
Elsie Matherne was loud, brash, and bawdy, with a devilishly funny sense of humor. She was also strong-willed and passionate, and made sure she always got what she wanted. Our lives are all a little less bright without her in them.
---
She was the daughter of Oscar and Sophie Cooper, and was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Oscar Cooper.
----
Inscription:
Celebrate, for this soul was lost,
but now she she has been found.
----
Obituary:
MATHERNE, ELSIE MAE COOPER
A retired school bus driver and an Avon representative for 25 years, she died Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 10:15 p.m. at Summit Hospital, Baton Rouge. She was 86 and a resident of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home, New Roads, and a native of Maringouin. Visiting at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11140 La. 77, Maringouin, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, celebrated by the Rev. Shelton Fabre. Interment in church cemetery. Survived by three nieces, Doris Benton of Baton Rouge, Barbara Jones of Alexandria and Dottie Ewing and husband J. Ewing of Innis; and two nephews, Richard Cooper of Batchelor and Valerie Cooper Jr. of San Diego. Preceded in death by her husband, T.B. Matherne; parents, Oscar and Sophie Cooper; three brothers, Oscar, John and Valery Cooper; a sister, Ira Mae Cooper Lambdin; and a great-niece, Traci Lynn Benton. Pallbearers will be Riley Prestenback, Keith Prestenback, Johnny Bourke, Johnny Bourke Jr., Robert Prestenback and Amber Bourke. She will always be remembered by her zest for life, outgoing vibrant personality and love for her family and friends. Special thanks to the staffs of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home and Summit Hospital for their caretaking skills and support. Arrangements handled by A. Wesley Funeral Home, 10810 Ventress Drive, Maringouin, 225-625-2383.
Mrs. Elsie, as we all called her, was family in every way that counted to us; though we did not share the same blood.
She and her brother, Oscar Cooper, whom we called "Beep-Beep", lived across the street from my grandparents' house and were a part of our lives since long before my birth.
The woman - even in old age, when I knew her - was a firecracker.
My grandfather would regale us with stories about Mrs. Elsie, back in the 50s, arriving to church every Sunday just *after* Mass had started. She would make a grand entrance. The priest would pause as the huge doors swung open loudly, and Mrs. Elsie - always in a large, ostentatious and brand new hat - would walk down the aisle, all eyes on her, to the very first pew. She would take her seat, and the priest would resume with Mass.
I can still remember her standing on her little porch yelling for her small, black poodle, CoCo, at the top of her lungs. Sometimes she would bring out a small cap gun and fire it into the air. CoCo was a rather nervous little dog.
In her 40s, she drove a school bus - a job she enjoyed and that earned her a reputation as a tough but lovable favorite among the children.
Her life, lived boldly, was not without tragedy. In 1963, Elsie and her best friend, Billie Matherne, were involved in a terrible car accident. Elsie, driving the car, barely survived. Billie did not.
The shared grief and mourning brought Elsie and her best friend's husband, T.B. Matherne, together and they were married a few years later.
Elsie Matherne was loud, brash, and bawdy, with a devilishly funny sense of humor. She was also strong-willed and passionate, and made sure she always got what she wanted. Our lives are all a little less bright without her in them.
---
She was the daughter of Oscar and Sophie Cooper, and was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Oscar Cooper.
----
Inscription:
Celebrate, for this soul was lost,
but now she she has been found.
----
Obituary:
MATHERNE, ELSIE MAE COOPER
A retired school bus driver and an Avon representative for 25 years, she died Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 10:15 p.m. at Summit Hospital, Baton Rouge. She was 86 and a resident of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home, New Roads, and a native of Maringouin. Visiting at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11140 La. 77, Maringouin, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, celebrated by the Rev. Shelton Fabre. Interment in church cemetery. Survived by three nieces, Doris Benton of Baton Rouge, Barbara Jones of Alexandria and Dottie Ewing and husband J. Ewing of Innis; and two nephews, Richard Cooper of Batchelor and Valerie Cooper Jr. of San Diego. Preceded in death by her husband, T.B. Matherne; parents, Oscar and Sophie Cooper; three brothers, Oscar, John and Valery Cooper; a sister, Ira Mae Cooper Lambdin; and a great-niece, Traci Lynn Benton. Pallbearers will be Riley Prestenback, Keith Prestenback, Johnny Bourke, Johnny Bourke Jr., Robert Prestenback and Amber Bourke. She will always be remembered by her zest for life, outgoing vibrant personality and love for her family and friends. Special thanks to the staffs of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home and Summit Hospital for their caretaking skills and support. Arrangements handled by A. Wesley Funeral Home, 10810 Ventress Drive, Maringouin, 225-625-2383.
She and her brother, Oscar Cooper, whom we called "Beep-Beep", lived across the street from my grandparents' house and were a part of our lives since long before my birth.
The woman - even in old age, when I knew her - was a firecracker.
My grandfather would regale us with stories about Mrs. Elsie, back in the 50s, arriving to church every Sunday just *after* Mass had started. She would make a grand entrance. The priest would pause as the huge doors swung open loudly, and Mrs. Elsie - always in a large, ostentatious and brand new hat - would walk down the aisle, all eyes on her, to the very first pew. She would take her seat, and the priest would resume with Mass.
I can still remember her standing on her little porch yelling for her small, black poodle, CoCo, at the top of her lungs. Sometimes she would bring out a small cap gun and fire it into the air. CoCo was a rather nervous little dog.
In her 40s, she drove a school bus - a job she enjoyed and that earned her a reputation as a tough but lovable favorite among the children.
Her life, lived boldly, was not without tragedy. In 1963, Elsie and her best friend, Billie Matherne, were involved in a terrible car accident. Elsie, driving the car, barely survived. Billie did not.
The shared grief and mourning brought Elsie and her best friend's husband, T.B. Matherne, together and they were married a few years later.
Elsie Matherne was loud, brash, and bawdy, with a devilishly funny sense of humor. She was also strong-willed and passionate, and made sure she always got what she wanted. Our lives are all a little less bright without her in them.
---
She was the daughter of Oscar and Sophie Cooper, and was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Oscar Cooper.
----
Inscription:
Celebrate, for this soul was lost,
but now she she has been found.
----
Obituary:
MATHERNE, ELSIE MAE COOPER
A retired school bus driver and an Avon representative for 25 years, she died Tuesday, March 2, 2004, at 10:15 p.m. at Summit Hospital, Baton Rouge. She was 86 and a resident of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home, New Roads, and a native of Maringouin. Visiting at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 11140 La. 77, Maringouin, from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, celebrated by the Rev. Shelton Fabre. Interment in church cemetery. Survived by three nieces, Doris Benton of Baton Rouge, Barbara Jones of Alexandria and Dottie Ewing and husband J. Ewing of Innis; and two nephews, Richard Cooper of Batchelor and Valerie Cooper Jr. of San Diego. Preceded in death by her husband, T.B. Matherne; parents, Oscar and Sophie Cooper; three brothers, Oscar, John and Valery Cooper; a sister, Ira Mae Cooper Lambdin; and a great-niece, Traci Lynn Benton. Pallbearers will be Riley Prestenback, Keith Prestenback, Johnny Bourke, Johnny Bourke Jr., Robert Prestenback and Amber Bourke. She will always be remembered by her zest for life, outgoing vibrant personality and love for her family and friends. Special thanks to the staffs of Lakeview Manor Nursing Home and Summit Hospital for their caretaking skills and support. Arrangements handled by A. Wesley Funeral Home, 10810 Ventress Drive, Maringouin, 225-625-2383.
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