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 Diana 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.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Thayer Fun and Friends Senior Center.
September 24, 2024 @ 2:18 pm
I am so sorry to read of Tami’s passing. Bless all of the family at this time.
Kay McMurtrey
September 24, 2024 @ 2:35 pm
Sara, Hunter, and Sadie,
My Deepest Sympathy to all of you on the passing of Sara’s Aunt, Tami. At this time I will be keeping all of you in my daily prayers and may God provide comfort, strength, encouragement, and peace too. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Mrs. Amber Redburn
September 24, 2024 @ 2:35 pm
Sending my sympathy and love to Tami’s family and friends. I’m so grateful I was given the chance to visit with her on August 31st. We laughed, hugged, and ate Fred’s fish that day. What a sweet, wonderful loving woman Tami was. She will be so terribly missed by those who love her. Rest In Peace
September 24, 2024 @ 8:30 pm
I’m so saddened to hear of Tami’s passing. She was a good friend to so many.
September 24, 2024 @ 8:46 pm
So sorry to hear of Tami’s passing. Sending our condolences and prayers to the family!!
September 25, 2024 @ 1:00 am
So sorry that Tami lost her valiant battle. May God bless and comfort her family with His peace and love.
September 25, 2024 @ 9:34 am
My heartfelt and deepest sympathies go out to her husband, Gary, her beloved sons, her Dad and ALL who loved her. I remember her so well from high school. It is surreal how time has passed us by in a mere blink of the eye this way. Fly high, Tami on gossamer wings of everlasting love.. rest in peace. Rest in peace.
September 25, 2024 @ 11:23 am
wrapping you all in love
September 25, 2024 @ 11:29 am
Our hearts go out to this family! Tami was such a lovely woman! So very sorry for your loss! May you be comforted by your love and memories!
September 25, 2024 @ 9:31 pm
Such a wonderful woman. Remember so many good times and laughs in school. She is having a wonderful reunion with her Dad and dear friend Barbara Williams. May God hold each of you in His hands and comfort you during this time and always. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. So sorry.
September 26, 2024 @ 12:34 pm
Tami was such a sweet & loving person. I always enjoyed getting to visit with her. Praying for comfort for her family in the coming days.
September 26, 2024 @ 2:06 pm
Many words come to mind when I think of Tami: grace, compassion, empathy, and accepting. She exemplified all these and many more. But, one of the things Tami was best at was being a friend, and I had the privilege of being friends with her our entire lives.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times.
That is exactly what Tami did.
September 26, 2024 @ 7:17 pm
I was saddened to hear about Tami, you was a true gem. Praying for her family and friends during this time.
September 27, 2024 @ 11:57 am
Gary, my heart breaks for you, your sons also for Betty and Mike. Tami was a very sweet friend to so many. She will be missed, but her memory will live on.
So happy I was able to visit with her. You will be in my prayers.
September 29, 2024 @ 5:50 pm
My friends, the world has surely lost a very special person and will be missed. May God help you through this.