Cooper, 85 SMYRNA - Ila Cohee Poore Cooper of Smyrna died Saturday Dec. 8, 2O12 in Smyrna at Pinnacle Rehabilitation. Mrs. Poore-Cooper was born in Woodside, Del. on Feb. 8, 1927, the daughter of the late Mabel and Elmer E. Cohee. She graduated from Caesar Rodney High School in June of 1945 and in September of that year went to work for the Diamond State Telephone Company where she worked three years as a secretary. After her marriage in 1947 and after leaving the Telephone Company in 1948, she became a housewife, raising three sons, until 1964. She then went to work for the Smyrna School District; retiring as a secretary in 1989 after 25 years of service. She was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Smyrna where she was active in the Harvey C. Jones Bible Class, taught as a Sunday School teacher and worked in the food pantry; a member of the Delaware Retired School Personnel Association and enjoyed volunteering for reading programs with Elementary School Children. She was also an avid gardener, enjoying planting and caring for all kinds of flowers and shrubs. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, John E. Poore, Sr. She is survived by her three sons; John E. Poore, Jr. of Smyrna; L. Wayne Poore of Gainesville, Fla.; and Dennis G. Poore of Boynton Beach, Fla.. She also is survived by three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters, Violet C. Marvel of Milford, Del. and Verna C. McMullen of Harrington, Del. ( Written by John E. Poore, Sr in Nov. 1995 ) The service will be at noon Thursday Dec. 13, 2012 at Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home, 123 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, where friends may call at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna. Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions to be made to: Asbury United Methodist Church P.O.Box 330 Smyrna, DE. 19977-0330 To send a condolence, visit www.matthewsbryson.com.