Shirley Jean Cope

Shirley J. Thompson Cope, 79, passed away Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at The Oaks at Northpointe. Shirley was the daughter of George W. Thompson and Roberta Paxton Thompson Gambill. She graduated from Zanesville High School in 1960 and The Ohio State School of Cosmetology in 1961.

She worked as a hairdresser in Zanesville and Columbus. She also taught cosmetology at Nationwide Beauty Academy in Columbus.

After moving to Florida with her husband, she worked as a hairdresser and managed a beauty supply store. She also worked for the State of Florida in the Juvenile Detention Department. When she returned to Ohio, she worked for the Juvenile Detention Center in Zanesville as a Youth Supervisor and weekend cook. Shirley retired after 24 ½ years at Muskingum Starlight Industries in 2005.

She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Deacon.

Shirley married Gerald R. Cope on November 10, 1974 and he preceded her in death in 1989. Also preceding her in death were her father George W. Thompson; mother Roberta Gambill; step father U. True Gambill; a step son Marlin Cope; a brother Richard Thompson; and a grandson Dennis Cope.

Surviving are her sister Patty Roberts; two nieces: Tresa (Jeff) Campbell (Jayna Morrison and Chloe Campbell); Shelia (Brian) Smith (Brittani (Cody) Parker, Brooke and Bailee Smith); nephew Brian (Angie) Watts (Mariah (Luke) Hahn and Nick Watts); step son Jerald (Carol) Cope; three step daughters: Barbara (Greg) Pillar, Lois (Chip) Strucklin and Pat (Bud) Snyder; many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; a great great niece Joanna Parker; special cousins: George (Betty) Thompson, Beverly (Mark) Gundlefinger; Dr. Tom (Betty Sue) Brunsman; and a special lifelong friend Barbara Mitter.

Shirley loved flowers and they are appreciated, however; memorial contributions may be made in her name to Central Trinity Presbyterian Church, 40 N. Sixth St., Zanesville, OH 43701 or to Muskingum County Board of DD, 1304 Newark Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 2, 2022 in Zanesville Memorial Park at 1:30pm with Pastor Tera Mitchell. 

 THE SNOUFFER FUNERAL HOME, 1150 WEST MILITARY ROAD, ZANESVILLE has the distinct honor of serving the Cope family.

To send a note of condolence to the Cope family go to www.snoufferfuneralhome.com, find us on Facebook or call our locally owned caring staff at 740-450-8000.
 

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