Thelma Irene Cooper Brady, 83, a long time Atoka, OK resident was born on September 12, 1938 to Ira and Velora (Crews) Cooper at Lane, Oklahoma. She passed away on January 28, 2022 in Atoka, OK. Her family moved some during the early years but Lane was home. She finished 8th grade at Lane School and went on to graduate from Atoka High School in 1956. She received her Bachelor's degree from Southeastern State University in 1960 and began her teaching career in Carlsbad, NM. She married J.D. Brady on June 27, 1961 at Lane, OK and they began their married life in Odessa, TX. They were married 60 and 1/2 years. She taught in Odessa 5 years until an opportunity in Fort Worth, Texas gave them a chance to move closer to Atoka County. She stayed home with two small children from 1966 to 1972 then worked with the Fort Worth ISD 8 years and during this time earned a Master's degree from Texas Christian University in 1979. In 1981, the family returned to Atoka County to stay. She taught one year at Caney and subbed one year before finding her home in the community of Olney. She worked there from 1983 until the doors closed in 2007. Even though it was a small commute, she was part of the community, forming generations deep friendships. During this time, she earned an additional Master's degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma in 1988. She was a lifelong educator and learner. She leaves many of us with strong memories and a love of reading. She was of the Baptist faith and most recently belonged to Southside Baptist church. She was a member of Ohoyohoma Chapter #1 Order of the Eastern Star for 38 years, serving13 years as the chapter Secretary. She was a bargain shopper, she looked for bargains to use for the causes she donated to and to do kind things for others. She made VBS cookies for years and took cookies to widowed Masonic Lodge wives by the dozens. She cooked for many Masonic Lodge functions. Numerous kind deeds were bestowed on her friends, family and students. Her baked goods sold out at school fundraisers and are still favorites among former students. She was a supporter of the local library and always helping with something for her grandkids for 4H. She took her grandchildren all over Atoka County teaching them history as they went.
She is survived by husband JD of the home, daughter, Beth Murray and husband Tim of Atoka, OK; son, John Douglas Brady and wife Lorie of Atoka, OK; grandchildren are Jonathan Buretta of Ada, OK, Elizabeth Brady of Hawaii, Sarah Brady of Atoka, OK, Rebecca Paige Brady of Atoka, OK; also survived by many great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and special Aunt Louise Crews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Velora (Crews) Cooper; in-laws, Joel M. and Helen Brady.
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DATE OF SERVICES: 10:00 AM Monday, January 31st, 2022
PLACE OF SERVICES: Brown's Funeral Chapel, Atoka, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Bro. Jerry Lewis
INTERMENT: Green Meadows Cemetery, Atoka, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS: Seth Crews, Sham Crews, Brett Lewis, Austin Brown, Greg Davidson, Jonathan Buretta
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Arthur Crews, Clifford Brown, Jim Turner, Joe Crowley, Don Walker
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET. PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE
FAMILY NIGHT IS SUNDAY 6-8PM

SERVICES UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
BROWN'S FUNERAL SERVICE - ATOKA, OK