Maggie Mae Riley was born May 21, 1889 in Texas. She was one of  nine children born to William Marshall Riley and Flora Dare.  Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Elk City, Oklahoma where they settled into farming. Maggie’s siblings included Alma, Robert, Bessie, Maudie and Lillie. Bessie lived to the tender age of four and the three other siblings died in infancy.

On April 11, 1909, Maggie married Jesse Cooper in Beckham County, Oklahoma, and set up house in North Fork Township.  They raised a family with six children, all who lived well into adulthood:  Blanche, Tina, Janie, Frankie, Charlie, and Noel.  In 1943, Jesse died at the age of 58.  Maggie continued to live in Beckham County after his death, watching her children raise families of their own.  She died in October 1971 and was laid to rest beside her husband.

Maggie Mae Riley was my 3rd cousin, 3 times removed on my dad’s side.

REFERENCES

• United States Census: 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940
• Oklahoma County Marriages
• Find a Grave website
• The Daily Oklahoman,  October 25, 1971 via Newspapers.com