Madrene Cope

Edith Madrene Cope, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at The Baptist Home in Ironton, Mo.

Madrene was born April 7, 1922, at Des Arc, Mo., to William Absolum and Grace Melissa Partney Robinson. On June 15, 1940, she married John William Cope. To this union was born two daughters, Barbara Elaine and Judith Ann.

Madrene was a graduate of Doniphan High School. She had worked for Woolworth's in St. Louis as a manager of the record department. In 1964 she moved to Cape Girardeau and worked for Superior Electric. In 2004 she moved to Ironton.

She was a member of Red Star Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Viola Irene Bousamra and Lavada Lorene Walpole; and a brother, Gerald Parker Robinson.

Survivors include her husband, John; daughters, Elaine and husband Howard Webb of Burleson, Texas, Judith Ann and husband Alvin Bess of Cape Girardeau; a grandson, Bryan David Brown and wife Lee of Norfolk, Va.; a great-grandson, Douglas of Norfolk; a brother, William Garle Robinson of O'Fallon, Mo.; many dear nieces and nephews.

Madrene was an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed counted cross stitch, embroidery, ceramics and fishing with John. Sweet, devout, loyal and creative, her focus in life was God, her husband and family and her church.

Her courage and grace in confronting her challenges in the last years of her life were inspiring to all who knew and loved her.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Red Star Baptist Church, with the Revs. Cy Smith and Gerald Collier officiating. Burial will be in Unity Baptist Church Cemetery at Benton, Mo.