Wilma Rice Cooper

Wilma Rice Cooper, 87, of Candler, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at Aston Park Health Care Center. A native of Haywood Co., she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Janie Smathers Rice. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, James Thomas Cooper; two sons, Thomas Gary Cooper and Robert Lane Cooper; two brothers, Harold Rice and Grover Rice; and sister-in-law Lillian Rice. Mrs. Cooper was a loving wife and mother, a devoted homemaker, and an avid gardener. She is survived by daughters Joyce Coggins and husband Don of Spartanburg, and Norma Quinn and husband Alan of Asheville; son Curtis Cooper and wife Nan of Black Mountain; and grandchildren Jennifer Lane Coggins and John Thomas Coggins. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Rice and his wife Esther, and her sister-in-law Hilda Rice. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, at Pisgah View Memorial Park. Her family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.