Julia M. Cooley, a resident of Ragley was born July 24, 1958 in St. Louis, Mo. and passed away Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021 at the age of 62 surrounded by her loving family.
To say Julia loved her family was an understatement. Her husband, children and grandchildren were her world. Her biggest prayer was “Lord have favor on my children”. Not only did she love her family, she had a great love for God and the ministry.
She graduated from Texas Bible College in 1980 and married the love of her life, Rev. Glen Dale Cooley on June 6, 1980. The Cooleys pastored New Life Apostolic Tabernacle of O’Fallon from 1985-1995. During this time she was also the director of New Life Preschool.
In 1995, the Cooley family moved to Ragley where they founded and began pastoring New Life Pentecostal Church of Ragley. She was a wonderful, caring Pastor’s wife, an annointed song leader and a friend to many. She will be greatly missed by not only her family but also, her church family.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Rev. Glen Dale Cooley; children, Stacey Burgess and husband, Joseph, Sean Cooley and wife, Laken and Shanelle Buxton and husband, Ryan; grandchildren, Ashton Burgess, Juliana Burgess, Adriana Burgess, Felicity Cooley and Harper Buxton; her mother, Pauline Ashton; sisters, Patricia Evans and husband Richard and Susan Ashton.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Robert Ashton.
The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Mar. 1, with the funeral service beginning at 7 p.m. at New Life Pentecostal Church, 18603 Hwy. 171, Ragley. A prayer service was held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 2, at New Life Pentecostal Church with interment following at Dry Creek Cemetery in Dry Creek.
Arrangements were handled by Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home 1810 W. Fourth St., DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
