Cousin Jen

It can be said the women of this family and strong and determined. There are many stories of perseverance and achievement in every generation.   Here's a story about one of those strong women. This is Jen's story in her own words.  "TWO college degrees & on my way to receive THIRD, (shortly) not too bad for a "teen mom", if I do say so myself! I DID NOT participate in the MTV's series "teen mom", expect EVERYTHING for free! I DID receive child support for one child ('till HE gave up parental rights but have NEVER received any support for the other 2 girls!) I DO NOT condone teenage pregnancy (it's a living HELL to all girls who may reading this post) I took the hard road with help from my mamma Ethel, BUT I made it work, maybe it was 2 steps forward & 3 steps back, (a lot on the way since 1992!) On my way I have encountered racism, alcoholism, & divorcisim! (I just made that word up, HA!) but Don't EVER let someone tell you what you CAN & CAN'T DO-... Believe in YOURSELF and do what YOU ARE WILLING TO DO! With faith all things are possible, if it wasn't for my girls I don't know if I would have done it- I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON & BACK Breann, Baylee Kathleen, & Maddison thank you for making me the best mom I can be! "Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon!" Can't wait to say, "Look ma I DID IT!"    Cousin Jen is Bob's daughter, Eugene "Eckie Bud" and Julia's granddaughter, Edward and Ethyl's great-granddaughter, George and Mary's great-great granddaughter, Lacy and Aggie's great-great-great granddaughter.  Much respect to you Jen.

Bacon Bits Little Cousin (a.k.a Zoe-Zoe) Turns 9!!!

Remember one of the Cooley Cousins had a birthday yesterday? Today is her sister's birthday. The Cooley Cousin named, Zoe Elizabeth is turning nine years old today! Zoe knows how much I love bacon and has given me the nickname, "bacon bits." It works for Zoe only, so don't get any ideas. I won't answer and you'll look stupid. I love Zoe's smile, sense of humor, charm and love for her family. Those key elements will take her far in life - I claim it for her now. As you're getting older, I say hold on to those qualities and your life will be BRILLIANT in all ways for you. Happy Birthday Zoe. Much love to you today and everyday from ALL of your family.

Jessica's Turning Older...

Take a look at this Cooley Cousin. Today is this young lady's birthday. Yep, our Jessica is seventeen years old today. When Jess was a little girl she colored a picture for me. I was most impressed - she stayed within the lines and everything. I rarely throw things like that away. I still have it! As you turn another year better, my artistic cousin, may this day be as beautiful for you as you are to all of your family. Happy Birthday, Jessica with lots of love!!!

Happy Birthday Larry!!!

Happy Birthday Mr C - one of the COOLEST people I know

WARNING - Cute Kid Alert!!!

I had to take a moment from my vacation and post this. Neveah Grace, for those that need a score card, is Lacy and Aggie Cooley's great-great-great-great granddaughter; George and Mary Cooley's great-great-great granddaughter; Edward and Ethyl Cooley's great-great granddaughter; Eugene and Helen Cooley's great granddaughter. Proud grandparents Larry and Seretha love this little bundle of beauty. Anyone that knows me knows I am not particularly fond of children. I'm being honest here. Somehow when they're related to you, you have a totally different feeling. As you can see, this little one has captured her big cousin's (that's me) heart. It is easy to see she gets her beauty from her mother, Keyaria. I'll keep on saying it, there are no ugly people in my family. Okay, some got some ugly personalities, but they still look good. This Cooley Cousin is definitely a pretty one.

Somewhere, In North Dakota...

It's always good to recognize the accomplishments of our loved ones. The new year brings a new home for Cooley Cousin Maria and her family. North Dakota (norfdaKOLDah) is where this Cooley has settled. That's several states and many miles away from the small town of Coaling, Alabama; where Great-Great-Great Grandparents Lacy and Aggie Cooley established their home and raised their children.

The purchase of a home makes it official; these Cooleys are norfdaKOLDahns!!!

Congratulations, Maria and Ted on your new home.

Eugene Lawrence Cooley

Happy Birthday, Uncle Bud

Cooley Cousins

Cousin Robbie deserves a shout out. The brotha made it to Des Moines! Yep, Robbie was there on Saturday. When he called and said, "Hey Cousin Timmy, I will see you in Des Moines." I believed him. We've not seen each other since 2002. It was time to reconnect. I told him I would see him on Saturday, October 23rd. Our paths crossed at Donna and Harry's home. It was nice having the chance to catch up. We've changed a little in the eight years that have passed. We're older, but we're still looking good. Ugly doesn't swim in our family gene pool. Rob and his wife Anita brought along their children for the day trip to Des Moines. Rob and Anita tried to see as many of the family members as they could. They saw quite a few in the many hours they were in town. It is true, time flies when you're having fun. We had a good time this weekend. Whether in Iowa or Minnesota, we'll have to do it again before an additional eight years passes.
Cooley Siblings Veltirea and Eugene; my grandmother and Robbie's grandfather.

One Out Of Four Cooleys

I'm sure Uncle Bud was wearing a pair of Stacey Adams shoes at the time this picture was taken.

What Is A Cooley?

I guess the grammatically correct way to say it is, "Who is a Cooley?" I can give the basics. We are the descendants of Lacy Cooley. Great-great-great Grandpaw Cooley had a couple of wives (Laura and Aggie - nee Lewis) and eight children; Seward, Derunia, Nashrum, Ruth, Bryce, George, Letta and Mark. To break it down more, we are the descendants of George and his wife Mary(nee Washington). It all began in the tiny town of Coaling, Alabama. George and Mary with sons Edward and Curtis moved from Coaling to Missouri in the early part of the Twentieth Century. George worked in the coal mines and Mary stayed home with the children, which included daughter Georgia Elizabeth "Lizzie". The family moved to Iowa around 1910. They lived outside of Ottumwa and eventually settled in Enterprise, Iowa - northeast of Des Moines. This is where Edward Cooley and Ethyl Johnson met.

Family Register Page of the Cooley Family Bible
On November 24, 1915 Edward and Ethyl were married in Uncle Frank's (Johnson) home by Reverend Bolling of Mount Olive Baptist Church. Edward and Ethyl Cooley had four children; Veltirea, Marvin, Eugene and Doris. That's it in a nutshell. Let's move on to our questions and answers section.

VELTIREA

Question: So, who would be a Cooley?
Answer: Anyone that can trace their lineage to Lacy Cooley.


MARVIN

Question: Does your last name have to be Cooley to be one?
Answer: Of course not! My last name isn't Cooley, but I will tell anyone, "I'm a Cooley." Several years ago, one of the Cooley cousins (she had the Cooley last name) told me I wasn't a Cooley -- at all. When I told Grandma Vel what the cousin said, her reply was, "I don't know what the hell she's talking about? You're just as much a Cooley as she is, or MORE!"


EUGENE
Question: How do you identify a Cooley?
Answer: That's easy! The person walking with their head held high is more than likely a Cooley.


DORIS

They are filled with COOLEYLOVE and COOLEYPRIDE.

Can we exchange numbers?

Eugene Lawrence "Eckie Bud" Cooley's life was a short one. He packed a lot of living in the thirty-six years he was here. Uncle Bud died almost ten years before I made my grand entrance into this family. I listened intently to each story someone told about him. Grandma shared stories of their childhood and adult lives together, which gave me a sense of knowing him. Thanks to her, I had the chance to "meet" him. I'll explain.

Grandma died on March 1, 2002. It was one of the most difficult times of my life. I always had her with me and suddenly she was gone. When all official business was resolved, I wanted to take a trip to help ease my grieving mind. Los Angeles was a place I liked to go to kick back and relax. A couple of weeks later, I was in L.A. to relax, relate and release. Prior to the life altering events, Cousin Unruley had planned a weekend getaway to Palm Springs. She invited me to go along, but I chose to stay at her house. From the moment she left the driveway and returned two days later, she called several times to check on me. I'll never forget her love and support at one of the most difficult times of my life. I appreciate all that she told me and what Uncle Bud said as well.

My first night in her house was a quiet one. My only companion for the entire weekend would be Unruley's dog, Bubba. I strongly feel Bubba knew I was sad. Each move I made was closely shadowed by Bubba. When it was time to lay it down, Bubba slept on the floor next to my bed. I had one of the most vivid dreams occur that night. I'm not sure of the location, but I knew I was in a place that felt familiar to me. A man approached me and asked how I was doing. I told him I was just okay, that is was hard for me since my grandmother died a few weeks ago. It was at that moment that this man became very clear to me, it was my UNCLE BUD! I told him, "I know who you are and I'm so glad to see you!" He told me not to worry and that all would be fine. My grandmother wasn't available at the time and he was there in her place. I was so excited and happy to see him. We talked a little while longer and he told me he had to leave. I asked him, "Can we exchange numbers? I'd like to give you a call sometime." He gave me this look that said it all. I told him, "I guess that's not possible." Uncle Bud said, "I have to go, but you're gonna be okay. Your grandmother is fine. Don't worry about her." He was going away - fading actually. I asked, "When will we talk again?" He told me he was always around and we would see each other again. He was gone as quickly as he appeared. I opened my eyes and noticed Bubba was sitting up. He was looking at the door as though he was watching someone walking away. It may have been a dream, but it felt very real to me and Bubba.

Happy Birthday Zoe!!!

Go Zoey, it's your birthday! Happy Birthday Zoe Elizabeth. The little Princess is seven years old today. Zoe is the great-granddaughter of Eugene "Eckie Bud" and Helen Cooley. Something interesting happened the last time we were together. After having a large breakfast at Perkins, it was time for us to leave. Zoe and I played while waiting for the rest of the family. We were having a good time, just the two Cooley cousins. I happened to turn my head and noticed an elderly white woman looking at us. She looked at me as though I was a predator preying on this small child. It appeared as though she wanted to say or do something. I'm glad she didn't. She was dead wrong and I would have snapped her right up! I was playing with my cousin Zoe and making her laugh. I guess to look at us it would not be so obvious that we're related. No matter - she's mine and I am hers. Sometimes you have to overlook the ignorance of others. This taught me to let the love of my family be known to everyone. Zoe is the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Lacy and Aggie Cooley. I am their great-great-great grandson. It doesn't matter if all of my family "looks like me" or not, we have that common bond -- Cooley blood. I love you, Zoe. Happy Birthday to you. You are my little Princess.

Happy Birthday Jessica!!!

Happy Birthday, Jessica. Jess is the great-granddaughter of Eugene and Helen (nee Anderson) Cooley. I have witnessed first hand her ability to speak her mind, "the Cooley way." I see a promising future for this young lady. I have to teach her one small thing; I require a complete pound of bacon for breakfast. I don't usually share, but I will her. Stick with me, Jess. I'll make sure there is plenty of bacon.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! For all the fathers, father-like figures and the mothers that carried the load and made a way, this one is for you! Spend some time kicking back, relaxing and enjoying the day. I'm not a parent, but I plan to enjoy the day. Someone is going to barbeque and I want some! This is your day, dads. Enjoy it.

The Fathers from top to bottom; Edward Cooley, Marvin Cooley, Eugene Cooley, J. Walter Thompson and son Dennis, Tony and son Anthony

A Couple of Cooley Cousins

I gave myself a day away from here. I wanted to ensure I'd have something fresh, or at the very least, interesting to write. Yeah well, it didn't work the way I thought it would. There are so many stories about the family I want to tell. My problem, which one do I tell??? While I think about it, here's a bit of news. Today, Bud's grand-daughter (Maria) and Velt's grandson, (Yours Truly) will spend some time together. We've not seen the other since the family reunion. A fun time will be had by all, I'm sure. Of course I'll take pictures. Oh -- that's a hint. I need more pics, family!!!

The Brothers

Every generation of this family has those special brother bonds. Thru the good and bad times, the brothers stick together. Pinkie Doolen Johnson can be credited with instilling a sense of togetherness, forgiveness and above all else, LOVE in her children. Those three very important "keys" have been passed down to each generation. All of these brothers (Johnson, Cooley and Thompson) have togetherness not witnessed in many families. This family has been BLESSED many times over. Like any family, we don't always see eye to eye.





Hell, we'll even fuss about it. Given a little time and cooler heads, it all seems to work itself out. To all the brothers of this fam, let's continue to love one another and others. Don't let hard feelings prevent us from being the "kool kats" we're destined to be.


The Brothers from top to bottom; Frank and Edward Johnson, Eugene and Marvin Cooley, Rev Earnest and Dr J.Walter Thompson, Bobby and Larry, Tim and Tony, Justin and Terry