Des Moines, Iowa

Aunt Lizzie enjoyed shopping and took nieces Vicki and Donna on a trip downtown.

Happy Birthday Aunt Lizzie

Georgia Elizabeth Cooley was born to George and Mary (nee Washington) Cooley on October 2, 1904, in Northeastern Missouri. She was the baby sister of Edward, Victoria and Curtis. Aunt Lizzy is the reason I have a developed interest in family history.

Some of my posts are based on the people or stories Aunt Lizzie shared throughout the years. Writing this blog is another way to share our rich history.
We salute, honor, remember Georgia Elizabeth Cooley Williams White on her one hundred and sixth birthday.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Lizzie -- Cooley Family Historian

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.

Some Folks Got A Little Older

I'll need you to work with me for just a moment. This post will acknowledge some of the October birthdays I missed. Come to think of it, I have missed a couple this month. Yeah well, I've been busy, tired or sleeping. Depending on the day, I may have been doing all three at the same time. With all that behind us, here are some pictures of those family members born in October. Over a span of ninety years, these three; Georgia Elizabeth Cooley, Constance Jean and Maurice Jr were born on October 2nd. Toyia Lynn's birthday is October 26th, with Bessie Colbert Cooley's birthday being the 27th. Anthony Lovell was born on October 30th. Not pictured, but born in October are Louis Branch Jr on the 14th and Denise Marie on October 23rd. Whether here in body or in spirit, we honor and celebrate each family member's special day. Happy Birthday to all the relatives born in the month of October. Folks born in November -- fear not. Plans are in store to celebrate your days. Stay tuned for something just for you. Pictures from top to bottom: Georgia Elizabeth Cooley White, Constance Jean, Maurice Jr (October 2), Anthony Lovell (October 30) and Toyia Lynn (October 26), Bessie Virginia Colbert Cooley (October 27).

Anna Belle Burns Lites Harris

On March 19, 1907, Anna Belle Burns was born to thirteen year old Victoria Cooley and thirty-eight year old Lee Burns in Bevier, Missouri. Lee was married with children and couldn't provide much help to Victoria for the care of their baby. To earn money, Victoria begin working in the kitchen of the local train station. After living with Uncle Harry and his family for three years (more on him later), Anna Belle was sent to live with her grandfather George Cooley, his wife Mary, and their three children; Edward, Curtis and Georgia Elizabeth.

By 1920, Anna Belle had moved to Des Moines with her mother and stepfather. It was about this time Anna Belle showed an interest in painting. She allowed her artistic talent to become a job for her. She found work painting china in department stores in downtown Des Moines. Anna Belle would continue hand painting china until her retirement. Anna Belle had two marriages in the course of her life. The first was to a man know only as "Lites." Mr Lites first name is unknown. For a brief time she and her husband lived in Detroit. Anna Belle had moved back to Des Moines when the marriage ended. Her second to Ike Harris lasted much longer. They stayed married until his death. Anna Belle had no children, but loved the children of cousin Edward and his wife Ethyl Cooley. Vel, Dideo, Eckie Bud, Maxine, their children and grandchildren were recipients of her love. From an early age she saw strength and unity in family. Her favorite quote was, "Don't do as I do, do as I say do." Wise words from a wise woman.