Notes
Note for: Grace Beatrice SCRIBNER, 20 OCT 1935 - 6 JUN 1989 Index
Occupation:
Place: Certified Public Accountant
Burial:
Date: JUN 1989
Place: Reedsport Cemetery, Reedsport, Douglas County, Oregon
Note: Grace Scribner's mother died when she was three years old. Grace often
was left alone with her step-mother Mary when her father would go away to
work or do labor organizing. She remembers being whisked away from place
to place, many times having to leave prized personal possessions (what
few of them there were) behind. She recalls that her brothers all left
home as young men. Finally, during high school, she had been moved to
Elkton, Oregon. When her father again wanted to move, she was determined
not to go. An arrangement was made for her to live with a local family
until she finished high school (the Ted & Mildred Taylor family) who had
four children (Janice, Judy, Rick, and Bob). Grace helped out around the
house in exchange for room and board. Janice and Judy were like sisters
to her -- something she had not experienced before. She graduated as
valedictorian of her 1953 high school class in Elkton (a very tiny
class), and subsequently enrolled at Oregon State College. Of all the
freshman admitted, she achieved the highest entrance exam score on
English. (A newspaper article in Tom's trunk describes Grace's
achievement on the OSC entrance exam.) Her goal was to become a marine
biologist (but, oh, did she have trouble with chemistry). She lived in
Azalea house (a cooperative) while in school because money was so tight.
While there, she met another woman (who was a senior) who would later
become a life-long friend [Marlene; married Thomas Tymchuk].
On one fateful trip to San Diego to visit her brother Carl in late 1953
or early 1954, she met and fell in love with Lowell Cooper, who was
serving as a shipmate with Carl. Lowell was three years older than
herself and had come from a tiny town in Southwest Nebraska outside
McCook called Palisade. Lowell's mother Golda came from a midwestern
pioneer farming family, and his father was also from a midwestern farm
family. In fact, Lawrance's father (Lowell's grandfather) was a farmer
who aspired to be a Baptist Preacher. Apparently, Lawrance started out
with a farm of his own in Nebraska, but lost that during the depression.
He then began working as a maintenance man. He and Golda were married in
1930 and had Lowell's older brother William Rex a short time (less than
nine months) later. Lowell was born on November 29, 1932 in Hays County,
Nebraska and spent his entire youth in Palisade, Nebraska. After
graduation from high school, he joined up with the navy, and was assigned
duty to a ship whose home port was San Diego, California.
Before spring break of her freshman year, Grace and Lowell had made plans
to meet in San Diego and marry before Lowell shipped out. Thus, on March
20, 1954, Grace Beatrice Scribner and Lowell Everett Cooper were married
at the Chapel of the Roses in Chula Vista, San Diego County, California.
The Taylors were furious when they heard the news. They thought this was
a death knell for Grace's education. As soon as Grace returned from San
Diego, she discovered that Azalea house would not allow married women to
live there. As her world began to crash in on her, she and Lowell made
plans for Grace to move to San Diego where they would live together until
he got out of the navy. Grace soon moved to San Diego. Her first child
(David Allen Cooper) was born on their first wedding anniversary at the
naval hospital in San Diego (March 20, 1955). Lowell then received his
discharge from the navy, and enrolled in Oregon State College in
Corvallis with his veteran's benefits. To make ends meet, Grace went to
work at the College. Their second child, (Laura Denise Cooper) was born
on March 14, 1956 in Corvallis, Oregon, while Lowell was a freshman at
OSC. Their third child, Elizabeth Michelle Cooper, was born on April 7,
1958, while Lowell was a junior business major at OSC. On many occasions
during their college days (and after), Grace and Lowell packed up the
family to go to a dairy farm outside of Dallas, Oregon, to visit Grace's
aunt (Dixie's sister) Muriel (Steele) Smith.
Following graduation, Lowell accepted a job in the accounting department
at a large lumber mill in Bend, Oregon. He eventually quit that job, and
he then enrolled in the Internal Revenue Service school to become an IRS
agent. The family moved to Portland, Oregon, where the fourth child,
Nancy Joan Cooper, was born on June 11, 1961. Following his training,
the family moved to the Eugene, Oregon area where he worked for the IRS.
Shortly thereafter, Lowell moved his family to the Roseburg, Oregon
area. During that period, Lowell was either unemployed, or resorted to
selling sewing machines door-to-door much of the time. At one point, the
family purchased a 10-lb. bag of pancake flour, and that became the
staple of the diet for quite some time. The family was too proud to
accept government assistance for its financial dilemma. Eventually, the
family determined to move to Elkton, where Grace knew enough people that
she was sure that she could at least feed the family. In one of his job
searches, Lowell drove to Reedsport (a short distance away), and managed
to talk a local CPA [Gaylord Vaughn] into giving him some work. He
commuted every day from Elkton for approximately one year. Lowell then
moved his family to Reedsport to 1031 Hawthorne Avenue, an old two-story
rental house. After working for Mr. Vaughn for a few years and getting
to know many of the business people in the area, Lowell struck out on his
own, with Grace to help him in the office.
Grace and Lowell built their accountancy practice from the ground up.
Lowell took the CPA exam many times, but could not pass the auditing
portion, and was therefore only eligible for a P.A. designation -- a
matter that was a constant source of irritation for him (he regarded
himself as a better accountant than most practicing accountants). Grace
began to learn accounting from Lowell bit-by-bit, and over the years was
able to do more and more of the work. Their practice was successful, and
they built their own home in a new subdivision in Reedsport at 409
Westmont Street. In 1976, Lowell suffered a heart attack. In order to
hold the family business together, Grace dug in and learned everything
she could about the practice. A few years later, Lowell took in a
business partner (Rodney McCullough) who was already a CPA. With his
instruction and her effort, Grace learned accounting and accrued enough
hours to apply for and receive her own CPA license. That license was
earned in 1988, shortly before her death.
All of Grace's children went on to college. David graduated from the
University of Oregon (after receiving a golf scholarship his freshman
year) with a degree in business/accounting, and established his own
accounting practice in Palm Springs, California. He married Leanne Marie
Newell, of Joshua Tree, California. Laura graduated from the University
of Oregon with a major in general science and secondary teaching
certificates in most science subjects, an eventually finished law school
at the University of Washington in Seattle. She now lives in Arlington,
Virginia and practices law for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
nationwide (through the New York office). Elizabeth graduated from
Oregon State University (formerly Oregon State College) with a degree in
electrical engineering, and works as an engineer for the City of Portland
(Oregon). She married Jean Marc Ohlmann (who she met at OSU), a french
citizen from Alsace, who is a mechanical engineer for Northwest Natural
Gas in Portland, Oregon. Nancy Joan ("Joanie") began college at OSU,
but dropped out. She eventually went to secretarial school and became
self-taught about computer applications and networks, and began her own
computer firm in the Seattle/Tacoma area. She first married William
Frakes and had a daughter named Elizabeth Frakes; then she married Sean
Mann. Both William and Sean are residents of the Seattle area, where
Joanie now works as a computer networking specialist.
In early 1989, Grace was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. The
disease quickly spread, and she succumbed to death only six weeks later
on June 6, 1989. She is buried in the Reedsport Masonic cemetery,
between 2 empty plots (one intended for her husband Lowell at a later
date, and one intended for daughter Laura at a later date).
Our family had only a sparse number of photographs of Grace (our mother)
when she was a child. Thus, a series of three photographs of her in
Tom's trunk as a child and a young woman were a real treasured find. The
first, when she was probably about 7 years old, names her as "Ida B."
She remarked on many occasions about that nickname with some distaste.
The second was taken when she looks to have been in about 6th grade. The
third was probably taken when she was about a Sophomore in High
School.[RayScribner.FTW]
Thomas' lifestyle was difficult for his daughter, Grace, especially, the
constant moving from place to place, many times having to leave prized
possessions behind. She was often left alone with her step-mother, Mary,
when Thomas would be away at work or labor organizing. It was in Elkton,
while she was in high school, that she chose not to go with her parents
on the next move. It was arranged for her to live with the Ted and
Mildred Taylor family until she finished high school. She graduated in
1953 as the Valedictorian of her class. Then, she enrolled at Oregon
State College. Of all the freshmen admitted that year, she had the
highest entrance exam score in English. Her goal was to be a marine
biologist.
Everything changed in 1953 when, on a trip to San Diego to visit her
brother Carl, who was in the Navy, Grace met, and fell in love with,
Lowell Cooper. They were married at the Chapel of the Roses in Chula
Vista, San Diego County, California.
After his discharge from the Navy, Lowell and Grace returned to Oregon
(with their first child, David, who had been born in the Navy Hospital in
San Diego), and Lowell enrolled at Oregon State College. Two more
children (Laura and Elizabeth) were born while he was at OSC. After a
brief stint in the accounting department of a large lumber company in
Bend, Oregon, and another with the Internal Revenue Service, Lowell and
family moved to Reedsport, Douglas County, Oregon. Within a few years,
Lowell had his own accounting firm, with Grace as full partner.
Grace even earned a Certified Public Accountant license in 1988, shortly
before her death. In early 1989, she was diagnosed with endometrial
carcinoma. Only six weeks after learning of her cancer, she died from
this horrible disease.
Lowell suffered a heart attack in 1976. Then, in 1989, he had heart
bypass surgery.
All of Grace and Lowell's children went on to college. Surely, they were
---------- THIS SECTION OF NOTE WAS TRUNCATED ----------
self-taught about computer applications and networks, and began her own
computer firm in the Seattle/Tacoma area. She first married William
Frakes and had a daughter named Elizabeth Frakes; then she married Sean
Mann. Both William and Sean are residents of the Seattle area, where
Joanie now works as a computer networking specialist.
In early 1989, Grace was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. The
disease quickly spread, and she succumbed to death only six weeks later
on June 6, 1989. She is buried in the Reedsport Masonic cemetery,
between 2 empty plots (one intended for her husband Lowell at a later
date, and one intended for daughter Laura at a later date).
Our family had only a sparse number of photographs of Grace (our mother)
when she was a child. Thus, a series of three photographs of her in
Tom's trunk as a child and a young woman were a real treasured find. The
first, when she was probably about 7 years old, names her as "Ida B."
She remarked on many occasions about that nickname with some distaste.
The second was taken when she looks to have been in about 6th grade. The
third was probably taken when she was about a Sophomore in High
School.[RayScribner.FTW]
Thomas' lifestyle was difficult for his daughter, Grace, especially, the
constant moving from place to place, many times having to leave prized
possessions behind. She was often left alone with her step-mother, Mary,
when Thomas would be away at work or labor organizing. It was in Elkton,
while she was in high school, that she chose not to go with her parents
on the next move. It was arranged for her to live with the Ted and
Mildred Taylor family until she finished high school. She graduated in
1953 as the Valedictorian of her class. Then, she enrolled at Oregon
State College. Of all the freshmen admitted that year, she had the
highest entrance exam score in English. Her goal was to be a marine
biologist.
Everything changed in 1953 when, on a trip to San Diego to visit her
brother Carl, who was in the Navy, Grace met, and fell in love with,
Lowell Cooper. They were married at the Chapel of the Roses in Chula
Vista, San Diego County, California.
After his discharge from the Navy, Lowell and Grace returned to Oregon
(with their first child, David, who had been born in the Navy Hospital in
San Diego), and Lowell enrolled at Oregon State College. Two more
children (Laura and Elizabeth) were born while he was at OSC. After a
brief stint in the accounting department of a large lumber company in
Bend, Oregon, and another with the Internal Revenue Service, Lowell and
family moved to Reedsport, Douglas County, Oregon. Within a few years,
Lowell had his own accounting firm, with Grace as full partner.
Grace even earned a Certified Public Accountant license in 1988, shortly
before her death. In early 1989, she was diagnosed with endometrial
carcinoma. Only six weeks after learning of her cancer, she died from
this horrible disease.
Lowell suffered a heart attack in 1976. Then, in 1989, he had heart
bypass surgery.
All of Grace and Lowell's children went on to college. Surely, they were
proud. David graduated from the Univ. of Oregon with a degree in
business/accounting, and began his own accounting business in Palm
Springs, CA. Laura graduated from the Univ. of Oregon with a major in
general science and secondary teaching certificates in most science
subjects. She eventually finished law school at the Univ. of Washington
in Seattle. As of this writing (2002), Laura is an attorney and author,
living in Arlington, Virginia, where she practices law for the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society nationwide (through their New York office).
Elizabeth graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in
electrical engineering. She began working for the City of Portland,
Oregon. Nancy Jean began college at Oregon State, dropped out, and
eventually went on to secretarial school. She became self-taught about
computer applications and networks, and began her own computer firm in
the Seattle/Tacoma area.[McNutt6.FTW]
Grace Scribner's mother died when she was three years old. Grace often
was left alone with her step-mother Mary when her father would go away to
work or do labor organizing. She remembers being whisked away from place
to place, many times having to leave prized personal possessions (what
few of them there were) behind. She recalls that her brothers all left
home as young men. Finally, during high school, she had been moved to
Elkton, Oregon. When her father again wanted to move, she was determined
not to go. An arrangement was made for her to live with a local family
until she finished high school (the Ted & Mildred Taylor family) who had
four children (Janice, Judy, Rick, and Bob). Grace helped out around the
house in exchange for room and board. Janice and Judy were like sisters
to her -- something she had not experienced before. She graduated as
valedictorian of her 1953 high school class in Elkton (a very tiny
class), and subsequently enrolled at Oregon State College. Of all the
freshman admitted, she achieved the highest entrance exam score on
English. (A newspaper article in Tom's trunk describes Grace's
achievement on the OSC entrance exam.) Her goal was to become a marine
biologist (but, oh, did she have trouble with chemistry). She lived in
Azalea house (a cooperative) while in school because money was so tight.
While there, she met another woman (who was a senior) who would later
become a life-long friend [Marlene; married Thomas Tymchuk].
On one fateful trip to San Diego to visit her brother Carl in late 1953
or early 1954, she met and fell in love with Lowell Cooper, who was
serving as a shipmate with Carl. Lowell was three years older than
herself and had come from a tiny town in Southwest Nebraska outside
McCook called Palisade. Lowell's mother Golda came from a midwestern
pioneer farming family, and his father was also from a midwestern farm
family. In fact, Lawrance's father (Lowell's grandfather) was a farmer
who aspired to be a Baptist Preacher. Apparently, Lawrance started out
with a farm of his own in Nebraska, but lost that during the depression.
He then began working as a maintenance man. He and Golda were married in
1930 and had Lowell's older brother William Rex a short time (less than
nine months) later. Lowell was born on November 29, 1932 in Hays County,
Nebraska and spent his entire youth in Palisade, Nebraska. After
graduation from high school, he joined up with the navy, and was assigned
duty to a ship whose home port was San Diego, California.
Before spring break of her freshman year, Grace and Lowell had made plans
to meet in San Diego and marry before Lowell shipped out. Thus, on March
20, 1954, Grace Beatrice Scribner and Lowell Everett Cooper were married
at the Chapel of the Roses in Chula Vista, San Diego County, California.
The Taylors were furious when they heard the news. They thought this was
a death knell for Grace's education. As soon as Grace returned from San
Diego, she discovered that Azalea house would not allow married women to
live there. As her world began to crash in on her, she and Lowell made
plans for Grace to move to San Diego where they would live together until
he got out of the navy. Grace soon moved to San Diego. Her first child
(David Allen Cooper) was born on their first wedding anniversary at the
naval hospital in San Diego (March 20, 1955). Lowell then received his
discharge from the navy, and enrolled in Oregon State College in
Corvallis with his veteran's benefits. To make ends meet, Grace went to
work at the College. Their second child, (Laura Denise Cooper) was born
on March 14, 1956 in Corvallis, Oregon, while Lowell was a freshman at
OSC. Their third child, Elizabeth Michelle Cooper, was born on April 7,
1958, while Lowell was a junior business major at OSC. On many occasions
during their college days (and after), Grace and Lowell packed up the
family to go to a dairy farm outside of Dallas, Oregon, to visit Grace's
aunt (Dixie's sister) Muriel (Steele) Smith.
Following graduation, Lowell accepted a job in the accounting department
at a large lumber mill in Bend, Oregon. He eventually quit that job, and
he then enrolled in the Internal Revenue Service school to become an IRS
agent. The family moved to Portland, Oregon, where the fourth child,
Nancy Joan Cooper, was born on June 11, 1961. Following his training,
the family moved to the Eugene, Oregon area where he worked for the IRS.
Shortly thereafter, Lowell moved his family to the Roseburg, Oregon
area. During that period, Lowell was either unemployed, or resorted to
selling sewing machines door-to-door much of the time. At one point, the
family purchased a 10-lb. bag of pancake flour, and that became the
staple of the diet for quite some time. The family was too proud to
accept government assistance for its financial dilemma. Eventually, the
family determined to move to Elkton, where Grace knew enough people that
she was sure that she could at least feed the family. In one of his job
searches, Lowell drove to Reedsport (a short distance away), and managed
to talk a local CPA [Gaylord Vaughn] into giving him some work. He
commuted every day from Elkton for approximately one year. Lowell then
moved his family to Reedsport to 1031 Hawthorne Avenue, an old two-story
rental house. After working for Mr. Vaughn for a few years and getting
to know many of the business people in the area, Lowell struck out on his
own, with Grace to help him in the office.
Grace and Lowell built their accountancy practice from the ground up.
Lowell took the CPA exam many times, but could not pass the auditing
portion, and was therefore only eligible for a P.A. designation -- a
matter that was a constant source of irritation for him (he regarded
himself as a better accountant than most practicing accountants). Grace
began to learn accounting from Lowell bit-by-bit, and over the years was
able to do more and more of the work. Their practice was successful, and
they built their own home in a new subdivision in Reedsport at 409
Westmont Street. In 1976, Lowell suffered a heart attack. In order to
hold the family business together, Grace dug in and learned everything
she could about the practice. A few years later, Lowell took in a
business partner (Rodney McCullough) who was already a CPA. With his
instruction and her effort, Grace learned accounting and accrued enough
hours t