Tami Morris Cooper, age 66 of Thayer, MO, passed away Monday, September 23, 2024, at her home in Thayer, MO, surrounded by family who loved her dearly. She was born March 15, 1958, in Jonesboro, AR, to Jack and Betty Pierce Morris. Tami married her high school sweetheart Gary on October 16, 1977, in Thayer, MO. They have shared many special anniversaries over their nearly 47 years together. One of their favorite places to celebrate was Gatlinburg, TN, where they enjoyed their honeymoon. Tami always wanted to be a mother, and was blessed with two sons, Christopher and Craig Michael. Her boys were her greatest joy, and her favorite times were when all the family was together.
Tami enjoyed collecting cookbooks and recipes and loved cooking for family and friends. She spent many fun weekends antiquing with her girlfriends, and always looked forward to the Class of ’76 girls’ weekends at the lake. She was so grateful for the love and support of her “sisters,” Sheila and Sherrie, and she adored spending time with (and spoiling) her great-nephews.
Tami graduated from Thayer High School in 1976 with a very special class of close friends who have remained close to this day. After graduating high school, she went to work for Doyle Blackburn Chevrolet as a bookkeeper and continued working for various dealerships throughout her career. For the past 15 years, she worked for Ted, Roberta, and Pat Watson.
Tami was very touched by and thankful for the immense love and support and countless prayers from friends, family, and loved ones throughout her final journey. She and the family were especially grateful for the daily support and assistance from her dear friends Mike and Linda Ward, Gene and Lynn Martin, and Dian St. Onge, without whom she could not have continued.
Tami is survived by her loving husband Gary; her mother and very best friend, Betty Morris; son Christopher and wife Sarah of Colorado Springs, CO; son Craig and husband Layton of Kansas City, MO; brother Mike Morris and wife Jeannie of Thayer, MO; nieces Heather (Daniel) Guetzkow and Sara (Hunter) Wichern (Sadie, Emmy); brother-in-law Rodney Cooper and wife Sherrie of Hardy, AR; nephew Joey (Megan) Cooper (Maci, Jackson); sister-in-law Sheila and husband Mark Risner of Thayer, MO; very special niece April (Tim) Porter (Austin, Cooper, Ruger); nephew Lucas (Jade) Risner (Kanaan, Landry); brother-in-law Kenny (Patti) Cooper of San Antonio, TX; nephews Cameron, Dylan, and Zach; long-lost, special cousin Phil Morris; special Class of ’76 girls who shared many happy times and had lots of fun together: Diana St. Onge, Linda Ward, Anne Ream, Pam Willett, Terry Smith and Debi Trempy; and the “Golden Girls”: Lynn Martin, Linda Ward, Sandy Underwood, and Barb Poulette.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Morris.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Chapel in Thayer, Missouri.
Interment will be on Friday, September 27, 2024, in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.
