Jeanne Arnold Cooley

Jeanne Arnold Cooley, 88, of Bellaire born December 6, 1923 passed away May 11, 2012. She is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Gerald A. Cooley, and her mother Le’Noir Arnold of Alvin. She is survived by daughter Carol Schmidt and husband Dwight Schmidt of Fredericksburg, granddaughter Tiffany Culver and husband Cameron Culver of Dallas, great-grandson Fields Culver, granddaughter Brooke Seyffert of East Lansing, Michigan, grandson Matthew Seyffert of Fredericksburg, son Michael Cooley and wife Sharon Cooley of Longview, step-grandsons Joshua Harris and Jason Harris of Dallas, daughter Dixie Hicks and husband John Hicks of Houston, grandson Travis Hicks, and daughter Patricia Cooley of Houston. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, Texas

Jeanne was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, and friend. She never met a stranger. All who had the privilege of knowing her knew her to be strong of spirit and full of grace. Her family was often awed at her ability to recall people, places, and events, and her willingness to go and do, no matter what.

Jeanne was a 1945 graduate of Texas Women’s College and a physical education teacher and drill team sponsor at San Jacinto High School until her marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Cooley in 1949. Her interest in sports never waned. She played tennis and golf and attended Texas A&M football games for decades, and also followed every major televised sport. She attended a TWU Alumni Association luncheon one week prior to her death.

She was a member of the Houston Texas A&M University Mother’s Club and the Houston Geophysical Auxiliary Society. As her family grew she was a stay-at-home mom who was never at home as she took on being a room mother, a PTA officer, a Girl Scout leader, a carpooler, and attending her children’s dance recitals and sporting events. Her pace never slowed as she transitioned to being an Aggie Mom and loving grandmother, always ready for the next football game, band concert, dance performance, basketball game, family event or road trip to see her grandchildren grow into fine young adults.

Jeanne took pleasure in having her family surround her. Later in life she was nicknamed “Queenie” by her son because everyone, family and friends, seemed to congregate around her. She always had a smile, a laugh, and kind words which usually ended with “Good, good, good”. She will be loved, remembered, and missed for a very long time by a great many people.