You are NOT a Cooley Cousin

I received a reply from Sigmund Cooley. I thought this was going to the missing piece to our family history puzzle. We are NOT related. My quest for the Michigan Cooleys continues...

We Shall See...

I've been digging and digging around the Cooley Family tree roots for some time now. Over the years I've acquired the names of potential descendants of Uncle Curtis. Funny how things happen. I was looking thru my notes for the previous post and three names of Cooleys fell out. I didn't think much of it. I was about to put the names away, but I stopped myself. I decided to search the names on facebook, where I found all three! I sent a message to one, Sigmund Cooley. If he is, we'll know the story of what happened to Uncle Curtis' family. If not, the search continues. We shall see what it will be. Keep your fingers crossed.

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.

This Just In...

Maria Elena

A young woman (a Cooley Cousin) is in the area. She decided to make a journey to her hometown for a few days. I know she's happy to be here. Welcome home, Maria.

I Shall Return

I have a couple of stories to share. Stay tuned...

From Alabama to Iowa and beyond...

My great grandfather Edward Marvin Cooley was born on this day in Coaling, Alabama in 1894. Our family has expanded far from the tiny town of Coaling. Edward's descendants have migrated to Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, and California!

Happy Birthday Akya

Akya Lamonte

On this day we celebrate the birthday of Akya, the daughter of Robbie. She is the great great great great granddaughter of Richard & Sara Doolen, John & Sarah Johnson, Lacy & Aggie Cooley, George and Mary Cooley. The great granddaughter of Eugene & Helen Cooley continues the family tradition of being attractive and intelligent. Happy Birthday!

Scott and Lynn Spend The Day Together

I spent a major part of the day with my sister Toyia. I had a small list of things to do and she tagged along for fun and games. We laughed the entire time we were together. Another reason to enjoy having summers off -- I can spend the day with my loved ones.

Veltirea Smokes?? It's Not What You Think...

Beautiful downtown Kewanee, Illinois

I am going to share something only an insider would know. My grandmother smoked for effect and not for the taste or desire. To watch her inhale and immediately exhale would be a hint. One other thing she would do was allow the smoke to billow slowly from her lips. Yep, all lies!!! She didn't inhale! I remember a few of the brands she tried. BENSON & HEDGES was the first brand I can recall. Years later she smoked "tall" cigarettes. Her all time favorites would be MORE MENTHOL and EVE MENTHOL LIGHT.
Veltirea, Tim, Aunt Daisy and Brenda

In 1972 we took a trip to Kewanee, Illinois to attend The Watts Family Reunion. We posed for many pictures at Aunt Daisy and Uncle Barney's house. This one shows Veltirea and her cigarette, which is more for show than smoking. I told her secret and I know she's giving me "THE VELTIREA EYE" -- I can feel it.

JUSTin time!

This weekend marked the birthday of one Eckie Bud and Helen Cooley's grandsons, Justin. Grandsons Rodney and Shawn celebrated birthdays in June. I don't have the entire story, but I'm told Cousin Justin enjoyed his birthday celebration. The outpouring of love and well wishes touched this mild-mannered, young man. "Y'all put a big smile on my face all day..." said Justin. The love you give is the love you receive -- twofold. Happy Birthday, Justin.

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.

Where Did The TIME Go?

This month went entirely too fast. June 30th came much faster than imagined. Since time literally flew by, I need to play catch up. A few folks had birthdays this month and I need to acknowledge them.
Shawn Louis - June 12
Rodney Eugene - June 16
Herbert R, Jr - June 21
Jessica Marie - June 30
To each one (though late for some) may there be much peace, many blessings and an abundance of love as you turn another year better.