Ala Cooley

Ala Cooley was a private and humble lady that enjoyed the comforts of a simple and honest lifestyle. She was perfectly happy spending time with her loved ones and didn’t need thousands of flashy distractions in her life. Ala had a full, caring heart and everyone who spent time with her felt the warmth of her presence.

The year was 1924 and Calvin Coolidge had assumed the presidency after the death of President Harding the year prior. Prohibition laws were creating legends out of gangsters and bootleggers and J. Edgar Hoover became the head of the FBI. The Charleston dance craze set the tempo for what would come to be known as the “Roaring 20s.” On November 17, 1924, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, little Ala arrived into the world. She was the middle of three daughters, Greta, Ala and Ethel, born to Walter and Josie (Randall) Nidy.

Ala grew up on their family farm in Fulton, Michigan. Her parents were both school teachers in the area, though Ala and her sisters attended the Athens schools, where their mother taught. Ala was a very tall young lady of six foot, though she told everyone she was 5’12” because she didn’t want to say she was that tall. However, her height did come in handy playing basketball on her high school team (they played half court). Ala was raised in the Christian faith and was a lifelong member of the Fulton Christian Church and enjoyed being involved with the youth group. After graduating from Athens High School in 1942, Ala went on to attend beauty school; however, when the war broke out overseas, she wanted to do her part in helping with the war effort by working in Eaton’s factory.

Ala’s life took a new direction when she went on a double date to a dance and spent the whole night talking to her friend’s date, Frank Cooley, instead of her own. Frank was on furlough home from the service, and he and Ala began corresponding with each other after he went back. Their love for each other blossomed over the next 6 months and they were happily married on August 18, 1946, in Ala’s church in Fulton. Ala and Frank enjoyed married life together for several years before they filled their hearts and home with the joy of two children: Aleta Kim (adopted in June 1960), and Philip (adopted in 1963). Although Ala worked part-time in various beauty shops after her children arrived, her main occupation for many years was taking care of her family. She loved being a mother, and took great joy in raising her kids and spending time with her loved ones. To get away, they enjoyed going camping and RVing. Ala was the perfect hostess for all the family gathers for the holidays. Her cooking was simply amazing, especially when it came to her biscuits and gravy, apple stuffing, and homemade canned grape juice.

Ala and Frank led an active life through their retirement. After Frank retired in 1980, they began wintering in sunny Florida. At home, they both enjoyed working in the garden, and playing cards and having “popcorn night” with their friends. In her quieter moments, Ala kept her hands busy crocheting her famous “scrubies” – an all purpose dishwashing gadget. She made everyone in the family one of her scrubies, and then some. As a woman of great faith, Ala was active in the women’s ministries in her church, and found great comfort in reading her Bible daily. Above all, Ala was happiest spending time with her beloved family. She was a doting grandmother and great grandmother, and she was always proudly showing pictures of them to others.

Sitting in heaven’s garden, watching over her family, Ala will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ala Cooley, age 86, of Zephyrhills, FL passed away on Monday, July 4, 2011, at the Zephyrhills Adventist Hospital. Visit with her family and friends, view her life story film and share light refreshments on Monday, July 11, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, 409 S. Main Street, Vicksburg (649-1697). A funeral will be held following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.

Ala’s family includes her children: Aleta (Robert) Snippe and Philip (Sheri) Cooley; as well as five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Frank, and two sisters: Greta Simmons and Ethel Crotser. Please visit Ala’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory, upload a photo and sign her online guest book before coming to funeral home. Memorial donations can be made to The Fulton Christian Church or Southwest Michigan Hospice.