Carolyn S. Cooper

Salem - Carolyn Sue Cooper, 74, went home our Lord after battling Parkinson's for more than 15 years. Carolyn Clark was born May 23, 1940 in Vancouver, WA to Everett and Vera (Gillihan) Clark. Her father
worked for Pendleton Woolen Mills and her mother was a stay at home mom. They
were members of Washougal Methodist Church.

Carolyn was raised in Washougal,WA and graduated from Washougal High School in 1958. She met her husband to be in 1955 and their first date was a Methodist Youth Fellowship hay ride and wiener roast along the Washougal River. After HS she attended Phagan's School of Hair Design downtown Portland earning certification the following year. She married Frank March 6, 1959 after a courtship that began in the 10th grade.
The wedding was held at the Washougal Methodist Church where her parents were married in 1925. The couple moved to Vancouver, WA in March 1960 locating closer to Frank's work with the Oregon Air National Guard. Carolyn went to work as a hairdresser until Wendy was born and returned to work when Jeffrey entered school, then worked part-time. In 1972 the family relocated to Salem when Frank took a position with the Oregon Military Department. During the transition Carolyn searched for housing and a new church, finally deciding on Trinity United Methodist Church, with her mother's approval.

Carolyn loved the Lord and her faith and family were center in her life. The family attended church regularly and she took an active part by teaching Sunday school, group leader in Methodist Youth Fellowship, singing in church choir, and active in Woman's Society, and Joy Group.


Carolyn was an excellent hairdresser. She closed her business, "Hair We Are," and retired in 1984 because of illness.
After retirement Carolyn enjoyed time with Frank, her grandchildren, arts and crafts, and garage sales. She enjoyed making decision when building and decorating the house they had build in 1993. In 1998 she was diagnosed with Parkinson's. She decided to continue plans to travel by motor home and spent five years traveling and visiting 45 states when
she became unable to continue in August of
2003.

In December of 2003 she was admitted to Providence Benedictine Care Center at Mt. Angel. The following October she moved to Tierra Rose Nursing Center in Salem where she resided until her death.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Harold Clark. She is survived by her husband, Frank, of 55 years, brother Al Clark (Donna), Sister Dorothy Burchett, sister-in-law Dolly Clark, daughter Wendy Kilgore (Kent), son Jeffrey Cooper (Melissa), granddaughters Jill Warnock, Stefani and Sydney Cooper, grandsons Brandon McElroy (Vanessa), Brad McElroy (Randi), and great-grandchildren Zachariah, Jeremiah, Blake and Brooklynn.

Memorial donations accepted for The Lord's Cupboard. Make Check payable to Trinity UMC. A memorial service will be at Trinity United Methodist Church, 590 Elma Avenue SE, Salem, Oregon September 13th, at 11:00 am, reception following the service.