Jeanette Cooper

Jeanette Toomer Cooper was born on September 20, 1923 in Savannah, GA to George Leonard Nieuwstraten and Lillian Stalls Nieuwstraten. Jeanette spent her childhood in Savannah, her early adulthood as homemaker and mother of six, her midlife years as an entrepreneur within the seafood industry, her early senior years traveling and enjoying saltwater sport fishing, and her final years a captive to the constraints of Alzheimer’s disease. She is recognized for her activities in seafood conservation efforts and served as the only female president of the Southeastern Fisheries Association. She participated in community and political affairs and was active in the Presbyterian Church. Her hobbies included gardening and painting. After spending fifty years as a resident of Key West, FL, she came to live with her son-in-law and daughter, Gene and Jeanie Roberts of Inverness, in 2005. She subsequently died in the home they shared on May 26, 2015 under the care of Hospice of Citrus and the Nature Coast. She is pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, Earl J. Toomer, Jr. of 34 years and her husband Samuel Cooper of 30 years; her sisters Lillian Cecile Orrel and Margaret Ann Williams; her brother George L. Nieuwstraten, Jr; and her son Earl J. Toomer, III. She is survived by three sons, Edwin G. Toomer and his wife Andrea of Englewood, FL, Roy K. Toomer and his wife Virginia of Pledger, TX and Richard E. Toomer of Key West, FL; two daughters Jeanie T. Roberts and husband Gene of Inverness, FL, and Colleen L. Gartenmayer and husband Edward of Key West, FL; 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and an ever-growing number of great-great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life and Tribute to Jeanette will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, with Pastor Dan Lyman, Hospice Chaplain officiating. The family will greet friends in visitation from 2:00 PM until the hour of service. A reception for those attending will be held immediately following the ceremony at 1st Presbyterian Church of Inverness. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to your favorite charity.