Norma Adams Cooper

Norma Adams Cooper, age 93, passed away on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at her home in Roseburg, Oregon with her friend Marie Martindale by her side. 

Norma was born on February 1, 1929 in Layton, Utah to Otis Isaac Adams and Hortense Metta Hanson. She was raised on her family’s farm in Layton, Utah. Norma learned responsibility at a young age and had a special bond with each of her siblings. Her brother, Ralph, remembered riding their horse together to the local movie house. She had a beautiful singing voice and loved to sing to her younger sisters. Norma sang in the high school choir and continued to sing at church throughout her life.

Norma was previously married to Wallace (Bill) Williams Gailey, and they had a daughter, Vicki Lynn Gailey Rush. Norma later met and married the love of her life, Joseph Trave Cooper. They had three sons: Joseph, Jeff, and Jan Cooper. Norma and Joe moved between Utah and Oregon multiple times throughout their lives. After retirement, they finally settled in Roseburg, Oregon. Norma became a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was called as an ordinance worker for a short time in the Medford, Oregon Temple. Norma and Joe's union was sealed in the Medford, Oregon Temple.

Norma worked in service, factory, and retail jobs throughout her life. She was manager of a fabric and craft store until her retirement. She camped, fished, and hunted with her family. She loved having a garden, canning, and trying new recipes. Norma took pride in being a dedicated homemaker while also being a working girl. Norma was a seamstress and artist. She could sew anything from upholstery to wedding gowns. In her last years, she was in great demand for custom sewing and alteration work.

Using her own kiln, she won awards for her hand-crafted porcelain dolls. Norma excelled at oil painting, quilting, and crochet. Norma created treasured artisan items as gifts for family and friends. Her decades-long friend dubbed her a "Jill"-of-All-Trades. Norma would create diverse keepsakes with perfection and attention to detail.

Norma was a fun and feisty lady. She loved animals, especially the beloved cats she had throughout the years. Norma had a pension for sweets and desserts and always had a filled dish of candy. She loved reading, cooking, crafts, fashion magazines, novels, and the scriptures. She had a flair for fashion, always having a fresh tube of lipstick with her, and Norma took care of her hair and clothes. She enjoyed her independence and renewed her driver’s license at 92. Norma fiercely loved her family and friends and gave the best hugs. She had a unique way of looking into your eyes and soul when she wanted to know if you were healthy and happy.

Norma is loved by many and will be missed and remembered by all. She was preceded in death by; her parents, her husband Joe, Joseph Traverse Cooper (son), Ryan Cooper (grandson), Otis Junior Adams (brother), Ruth Evans Gibson (half-sister), LaGrande Evans (step-brother), Noal Evans (step-brother), Harold Evans (step-brother), Bill Evans (step-brother), Annie Evans (step-sister), and James Rush Jr. (son-in-law).

Norma is survived by'; Vicki Lynn Gailey Rush, sons Jeff (Kathey) Cooper and Jan (Susan) Cooper, brother Ralph Adams, half-brother Bobby (Dixie) Evans, half-sister Carol (Paul) Evans Allred, 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

A special thank you to the Mercy Hospital hospice team for their services and genuine care of Norma. The family also extends heartfelt appreciation to Norma’s treasured friends, Marie Martindale, Ken and Brandon Butz, for their dedication and love of her until the very end. The family would not have known what to do without these selfless individuals who stepped in and took care of Norma like she was their own family.

Graveside services will be held Monday May 9, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.  Friends may visit with family from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.  at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Rd., Layton, Utah.  prior to the graveside service.

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