Claudia Mae (Cooper) Golden

Whether we speak of the 7 wonders of the world, the 7 days in the creation week, or the fact that there are 7 primary colors in the rainbow—all of these center around the number 7, and lend to a sort of completeness, or spiritual quality. This number was particular in catching the attention of granny, or "G.G.", as the great grandchildren affectionately called my mom. I recall the ready smile she had as she embraced another chapter of her identity, as our Ugrandma great" or G.G.—a term I had learned from my mother- in- law, whom she adored. Eva Mae Cooper was born in Blytheville, AR. in the 7th month (July), on the 14th day of 1945. She was born the 7th child of Eara (Hill) Cooper (also spelled Arah/Era in early documents), who was born in Poteau, OK on Choctaw Indian territory. There was some percentage of both Choctaw and Cherokee from her mom, as we" as some strong Irish and Native American from her dad, Claude Elmer Cooper, who was born in Guys/ McNairy County, TN. The significance of the number 7 was impressed upon my mom and held great significance to Eara because her father was Cherokee. Seven is a sacred number that was deeply woven into the 7 clans of the
Cherokee people, and their society. Grandma Eara would also repeat the story of the "sign" of a veil over Mae's face at birth. Natives believed that a child with a vail had special gifts given by our Creator that would become a blessing to all. This rare occurrence signified a special destiny, and tended to impress my mom in her childhood with an extreme need to listen carefully and quietly in her shyness. It was little understood by many at the time, but very welt understood by her mother. Grandma Eara explained to me that my mother was no ordinary person, but knew things before they would happen, like telling her mom that a certain person was coming to their home, because she could smell their cologne—even 15 min before they arrived. She was gifted with a type of healing sensitivity toward the needs of others, that came from above. The animals were drawn to her and seemed to recognize her special love. This "sign" would capture the intrigue of the family as her journey in this life began...and continued for my brother (Michael Anthony Coleman) and I— as we wondered, "what does all of this mean?" She told me years before she was diagnosed with the MGUS stage of Multiple Myetoma, that she use to fear something happening to her lungs... but felt it would be a problem in her bones that would end her journey. So it is with great sadness that we announce the succumbing of her earthly body to Myeloma, that brought her to her final rest at the tender age of 80, on September 4th, 2025, at Vanderbilt Hospital, Nashville, TN.
As is common among many tribal peoples, names are given or even changed over time to signify the changes as a person grows in character. The name Eva attended mom at birth, as her only living grandparent begged for this child to be named Eva...a name that grandma Eara had once identified with. Grandma Eara told how she herself had lost her mother when she was just a young child of 9, and was told by her teacher that the way her mom had spelled her name was incorrect (documented as Arah and Era.) She admitted that this change of spelling had bothered her so badly that she told people for a while that her name was Eva. She believed Eva looked much prettier written, and disliked the way the teacher said she must spell hers (E-A-R-A), because it was too similar to an "ear". Not desiring to call this baby after herself, instead they called her by her middle name "Mae". It honored her father's maternal grandmother, and the pattern of an "M" name like her sisters, Mary and Martha. All of mom's siblings had black hair and brown eyes, except for her. Mom often recalled her mother's words with laughter, "You Claude looking thing you!" Then, as mom's first school year was approaching, her mother applied for a late birth certificate and penned the change to her first name, Claudia, a name which she was called by most of her adult life, except parents and siblings.
Claude's father, Edmond, may not have won his full desire to call her Eva, but it is said that this fuli- blooded Irishman adored his granddaughter's shining white- blond hair, and teal green eyes. These and other traits established not only her natural beauty of strong similarity to her father, but a stubborn sense of direction and independence. When she had impressions and listened carefully, she experienced surprisingly good luck and favor. When she was unsure, and restless, rather given to anxiety and the troubles of this world, she found that the opposite was true. There was a tendency to excel at whatever she set her heart to. One example of this in her early years was her track record at school, where she could beat all of the girls. Her brother Charlie could beat all of the boys too, yet when the boys heard she could beat her brother, she was challenged to race all of the boys... then beat them fair and square. Another example was when she hurried to take my brother and I to our dad's parent's home. Upon arrival she proceeded to tell my grandpa that she needed 20 dollars to play the last two games at the dog track. He pulled out the money and she left quickly. In what seemed like just a short while, she was back and handed him a much larger sum in repayment—because the numbers blazing in her mind just won her 10,000 dollars!
As a teen, she became a candy-striper, helping in the ER. Soon she realized that her sensitivity could not bear the pain, nor the blood, though the memories remained. She was a devout homemaker in her early years, and our home stayed in order, including three meals on the table at the same time daily. She rescued many, many animals, nurtured and found them homes. One of her hobbies is still treasured by many. She loved to restore antique furniture, carefully stripping it down to find the natural beauty of the wood. Then, sometimes she would take something like horse hames, and turn them into a novel mirror. Later still, she discovered her love of flea markets transformed her business prowess, becoming adept at finding what sold best to help her make a living. She wasn't the traditional granny, and tried to stay young, not knowing what she wanted to be called when she became a grandmother. Life was flying by, but the name Ugrandma" was just not her preference, and she was sure did not seem fitting to her at 36. It would take gumption of her 4th grandchild, plus the birth of 3 more before she was rightly called "granny"—her identity fondly struck, while laughing at not wanting to sound old!
Once her father passed, mom started school to become a massage therapist, and began to study reflexology. Her grandchildren recall how granny would always work on their feet when they were not feeling so well. A love for adventure and travel kept her on the go, even for a last minute, unplanned trip. Go, granny go! Another dream was fulfilled when she opened her antique store in Mississippi. In 1997 she closed her store, and moved to Savannah, TN where her own mom once owned a home at Pickwick for many years. Her brother Charlie would soon join her in their retirement years, peas in a pod.
As the trials of life began to surmount, and become increasingly challenging, her deeply spiritual connection was as an anchor holding true, by the loving guidance of Jesus. Life circumstances brought her fervently in prayer daily— both privately and aloud, as her children and grandchildren grew. Although mom was raised in an Assembly of God home, it took her quite a while to become a member of any church, though she was a very conscious believer. She said she was drawn many times by His Spirit but always had the idea that she was not good enough to be a member, so she decided to just tell people of Him and His love. I loved seeing my mom get an impression to tell someone how special they are, and that Jesus loved them so much...sometimes it was a complete stranger. I recall someone confessing that they were about to take their own life, before she spoke to them a while. A measure of the loving kindness of our Savior was instilled by Him upon her character, and she was usually smiling. There were innumerable instances where she called upon His name, and immediate answers were witnessed. There was an air of confidence that covered up the pains of this life, as she had suffered much. She never wanted to grow old or die, but wanted Jesus to just come back and take us all together. Once she paused to examine her life for a very serious season, and got very still to listen. She picked up the Bible to read, and read, and read to her hearts content—and was finally ready to accept that what Jesus had already done, was enough. She became content that regardless of the flaws in mankind, she could excitedly embrace the truths of the Seventh Day Adventist faith, knowing she didn't have to have ALL of the answers. She awaited the presence of both of her children, and expressed her desire to be baptized as a witness to her faith, and having her sins washed away forever. She said she only wished she had done it earlier in life. We look forward to being together by the river with all of our loved ones someday soone She is survived by: I daughter, Lisa Johnston (John) of Shelbyville, KY;
7 grandchildren: Jeshua Hinton (Tiffany)of Savannah, TN; Jamiel Hinton (Yesenia) of Greenbrier, TN; Cana Johnston of Greenbrier, TN; John Johnston (Eva) of Madison, TN; Claudio Coleman, and Anna Coleman both of Ocean Beach, CA; and a God-granddaughter Autumn Swiatek of Campo Grande, Brazil
12 Great grandchildren: Kyleah Johnston, Jonathon Hinton, Angelina Ganote, Angelina Basualdo, Wyatt Hinton, Patrick Hinton, Abel Johnston, Winter Hinton, Annalise Wilkerson, Miriam Johnston, Wynonna Hinton and Frederick Johnston.
1 sister, Claudeen Adrian of Plainwell, Ml; and many, many wonderful nieces and nephews
Bonus children: David, Michelle, and Kristie by Don Golden; John, Rickey, and Dawn by Rick  Evans
Bonus grandchildren: Allison, Matthew, and Michael — Dawn's children
Special Friends: Bambi and Richard Barrett of NC; Rocky Black of Selmer, TN; Doris Webster of Crump, TN; Mac's special love, Karen of LA; and many more
She was preceded in death by:
Father: Claude Elmer Cooper (1983)
Mother: Eara Mabel (Hill) Wise (1992) Son: Michael Anthony Coleman "Mac" (2024)
Grandson: Jordan Thomas Johnston (2023)
Siblings: Mary Dean (Espinoza) Farrington (1997); Joseph Jesus Espinoza Jr. (2010); Martha Louise (Espinoza) Orr (2010); Bobby Lee Espinoza (1938); Billy Joe Espinoza (1967); Charles Edward Cooper (2021); Lee Hulme Cooper (2002)
Spouses: William Richard Coleman "Dub" (2005); Donald Nelson Golden (2011); Lacy Richard Evans Jr. (2007);
Special friends: William Murphy Irvine (2014) and Thomas Allen Whaley (2016

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