Cooper, Clara (nee Breward) (1874-1917)

zoom

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by W.A. Eyre

Mrs. Cooper, wife of the Rev. W. Cooper, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Breward, was born at Sileby, Leicestershire, on December 27th, 1874. Most of her life, however, was spent in Lancashire. The child of godly parents, she was brought up amid gracious Christian influences, which accounted in no small degree for her devotion to the Saviour, and her whole-hearted interest in His Church and people.

On her marriage with the one who now so keenly feels her loss, she made it her first concern to ‘“look well to the ways of her household.” The home—clean and bright, and pervaded with an atmosphere of true affection—was indeed a strong refuge, a quiet resting-place, where her husband ever found tHat refreshment for body, mind and soul which made his public ministry the more efficient and effective. Mrs. Cooper’s cultured voice was cheerfully placed at the service of the Church, but in no other way did she aspire to public life. Her preference was for work behind the scenes, where she would face any task, however irksome; or make any sacrifice, however great, to help the Church or bless the poor, who always had the first claim upon her sympathy. 

In the very prime of life, it was hoped that many happy, useful years were before her. Alas! her “sun went down while it was yet day.” On Sunday morning, June 10th, she was walking home from Divine service at Leigh, when a motor-car, which had got out of control, mounted the foot-path and crushed her against the wall, inflicting injuries to, which she succumbed eleven days later. 

The remains were removed from Leigh to Barnoldswick, where her parents now reside, and there reverently laid to rest on June 25th, amid many tokens of esteem and love. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. W.A. Eyre, who also conducted, on July 15th, an impressive memorial service in our Barnoldswick Church.

Family

Clara was born on 27 December 1874 at Sileby, Leicestershire, to parents Thomas Breward, a railway signalman (1881), and Harriet Smith.

She married William Cooper (1874-1935) in the spring of 1905 at Burnley, Lancashire. They had one child who died in infancy.

Clara died on 21 June 1917 at Leigh, Lancashire.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1917/806

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers