Winifred Phyllis (Watkins) Cooley peacefully entered eternal rest on Monday, June 29,  surrounded by her family, at home in Rolla, Mo.   She was 70 years old. 
She was born Sept. 25, 1938, in St. James, Mo., to the late Luman Fredrick Watkins and Winifred Hazel (Havens) Watkins. 
Phyllis graduated from Rolla High School in 1956.  On June 2, 1956, she was united in marriage to Benjamin Franklin Cooley in St. James, Mo.  To this union, three children were born.  Phyllis was a devoted wife and mother for 53 years. 
Through the years, Phyllis had various jobs including home daycare, a rural paper delivery route, and was a rural mail carrier.  Her greatest joy was that of homemaker, loving wife, and mother.  She loved her family unconditionally.   She cared for her husband through various bouts with cancer and a brain injury, nursing him back to health and prompting doctors to refer to him as a “walking miracle”.   
Phyllis enjoyed cooking and baking special treats, and was an avid collector of recipes and cookbooks.  She never let anyone leave the house hungry.  She also collected Depression Glass and other antique treasures she found at auctions and yard sales.  She liked to shop, but was very frugal, and could make a penny stretch into a dollar.  However, she never could resist “just one more” pair of shoes! 
Phyllis was an exceptional seamstress who created beautiful clothing and other fabric items.  She enjoyed many other handcrafts, including crochet, cross stitch, and hand quilting. 
She was a 29-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Rolla Chapter #176, where she enjoyed the fellowship of friends and dressing in formal attire.  She held various Eastern Star offices through the years, and was District Deputy Grand Matron in 1995. 
Phyllis will be greatly missed by her surviving family, which includes her loving husband of the home, Benjamin Franklin; one son, Franklin Craig Cooley and his wife Billie of Staffordsville, Ky.; daughter Winifred Marlene Feeler of St. James; and daughter Patricia Lynne Ramsey and her husband Thomas of Norman, Okla.  She is also survived by seven grandchildren including Michael Ball and family, Rachel Cooley, Ben Cooley, Becky Losing, Megan Feeler, Matthew Ramsey, and Andrew Ramsey; and great-grandchildren Mikayla Ray and Jarrett Ray.   She is survived by sister, Zanetta Glenn and family of Rolla; brother Luman “Sonny” Watkins and family of Rolla; and brother John Wilk Watkins and family of Idaho.  She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other special family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Phyllis was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel Chalfant, and one nephew, Douglas Glenn. 
The family would like to give special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Bond Clinic and Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, and Phelps Regional Homecare Hospice for their unwavering care and compassion during this difficult time.  Also, the family gratefully acknowledges the caring support Aunt Net and Lisa Buchanan, Marlene Feeler, and Lynne Ramsey provided Phyllis in her time of need.   
Memorial contributions are suggested to the America Cancer Society for Research, in accordance with Phyllis’ wishes.  Cards are available at all James & Gahr locations. 
Visitation for family and friends will be noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday July 2, at James and Gahr Mortuary in Rolla. Funeral services and Eastern Star ceremony begin at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Steve Barber officiating. 
Interment will follow at Ozark Memorial Gardens in Rolla Mo.  Pallbearers will be Scott Watkins, Jeff Watkins, Randy Watkins, Keith Chalfant, William “Buck” Buchanan, and Martin Peterman.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Elmer Peterman, John Havens, Wallace Havens, Franklin “Hank” Havens, and Thomas Ramsey.
For online condolences please visit www.jamesgahrmortuary.com . 
All arrangements are under the direction of James & Gahr Mortuary of Rolla, Mo.