On the evening of January 13, 2022, surrounded by her children, Nancy Ann Cooley's deepest and warmest wish came true; Jesus wrapped his arms around her and welcomed her home.

Nancy was born May 26, 1927, the only daughter of Frank and Myrtle (Koons) Stineff in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was the youngest child to three older brothers. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Kansas. After traveling the Northwest, her family planted their roots in the warmer climate of Louisiana. When Nancy was 13, her mother passed away, forever changing her life. Nancy often talked about her mother and how much the loss of her shaped her life.

When Nancy was 15, she met a handsome 18 year old boy, the driver of her school bus, in DeRitter, Louisiana. Nancy and Earl Cooley fell deeply in love, and thus began a love story that would last decades. After writing letters back and forth during his years of deployment in the Navy, Earl came home to Louisiana to marry his beloved Nancy. Nancy married Earl in an elegant handmade wedding dress made from his Navy parachutes, just 10 days after his return home in August 1945. Nancy and Earl would be married just shy of 66 years until Earl's death in 2011, showing the world what true love, tenderness, and devotion looked like. Together, they purchased land in Anacortes, Washington and moved there to start their family. After a brief move to Lewiston, Idaho, they came back to build their forever home back on Anacortes. Earl, who Nancy often referred to as "the strongest man I've ever met" built the home they would spend their lives in, adding on additions through the years.

Together they welcomed four children and Nancy became a mother to Dorman, Jerry, Paul, and Tamara. Nancy would refer to motherhood as "The greatest experience of my life." In 1969, they started a new journey; grandparents. Being a Grandma was a title that brought Nancy incredible joy, and she made sure that all of her grandchildren, adopted grandchildren (and great-grandchildren!) knew how loved and adored they were by her.

Nancy is proceeded into death by her loving husband, Earl Cooley, her mother and father, and her three brothers Ed, Earl, and John Stineff.

Nancy is survived by her four children; Dorman , Jerry (Jolee), Paul, and Tamara (John) Chadwick . She is survived by her 13 grandchildren, and 275 - 300(ish) great grandchildren, adopted grandchildren, and friends turned family.

Many may remember Nancy for her love and devotion to First Baptist Church, doing hair for her "ladies" at her home in the mornings, her prayer phone calls, or the way she never met a stranger. You may remember her love for singing, her sweet voice, or her beautiful smile.

But her family will remember her love for crossword puzzles, the quiet mornings sitting beside her as she read her bible, and the Southern curve of her voice as she said our names. We will remember how she bought herself a diamond ring every time Earl went hunting in Montana. She proudly wore those diamonds on each finger, and we will remember the way they clinked together as she moved, and the way they felt as she held our hand. We will remember the many nights around the dinner table, eating her fried chicken, rice with gravy, or her homemade pies. She loved the color purple, her extensive and intricate blue glass collection, her pets throughout the years, her family, and her Jesus.  We will miss her aprons, her handwritten letters, her quick wit, and the sound of her voice when she laughed. Nancy always started her day "painting the barn" (putting on makeup), and picking out the perfect jewelry from her impressive collection. We will miss the way she brought every conversation back to Jesus, the way she made each person she came into contact with feel loved, her red lipstick kisses, and the magical way she would phrase her words into deep and profound advice. We will miss cookies in coffee cans, the feel of her kiss on our cheek, and how she always kept score during games. The Cooley home felt warm and loving; covered in pictures, homemade pies, and memories. Nancy's hugs could cure a multitude, her words were kind, and her presence was a true reflection of Jesus' love. How lucky we all were to be a part of her magic.

We do know that, for all of the wonderful things we can say about Nancy, it is her love for God that made her who she was. Nancy lived her every day for the glory of Jesus. From the moment she woke up and opened her bible, to her evening prayers, God was intertwined into her words and her actions. Every single day. She spoke of Him with pride, praising Him in every moment, and praying to Him in the quiet. She loved her family beyond measure, but the true love of her life was God. She gave Him all the credit; in moments big and small, heavy or light, mundane or important. Jesus walked beside her every day of her life, holding her hand, listening to her prayers, and loving her beyond comprehension. As she did Him. To know Nancy was to truly feel the glory of Jesus.

While we will feel the loss of her greatly, our hearts are comforted by the deep, soulful joy she must have had when she first saw His face. We can only imagine the smile on her face and the sound of her voice when she saw Him for the first time, and how tightly her arms must have wrapped around Him. We know she joyfully is wrapped in His love, light, and truth.

In memory of our Nancy, we hope that you spend some time with Jesus today; sing a hymn, open your bible, or say a quiet prayer. Then, sit around the table with your family and enjoy a good meal. Laugh together, talk to each other, and catch up. Be patient, be forgiving, and be genuine. After the table is cleared, grab a seat and play a game of dice or dominoes together. Get loud, have fun, and laugh hard. Have a slice of pie or some ice cream. Hold a hand. Listen to each other in the quiet moments. Give a kiss on the cheek and wrap your arms around each other. Look around the table and soak up that moment. We hope when you feel the love and the laughter around you, and that when your belly and heart are truly full, it is in that moment that you think of Nancy and remember her fondly.

Nancy Ann was a daughter, a loyal wife, a mother, a grandmother, beloved aunt, and a true friend. Her life is a story that cannot fully be articulated into words, only felt by the people she loved and who loved her. She made a life that was kind, devoted, gentle, and beautiful. Her grace and presence are woven into the heart of everyone that was lucky enough to know her. She is intertwined through the roots of our family, into every memory, every laugh, and every sweet kiss. How deeply lucky we were to know her, to love her, and to be a part of her. What a beautiful life.

"Hallelujah, you're home."

A celebration of Nancy's life will be held outdoors at Fernhill Cemetery in Anacortes on Saturday, January 22nd. Graveside services will begin at noon with services and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up for The Cooley Memorial Bench in Earl & Nancy's honor at Banner Bank in Anacortes. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Onsite Crematory Inc.  To share memories of Nancy, please sign the online guestbook at www.evanschapel.com