Mary Louise Culpepper

Mary Louise (Brown) (Sanford) Culpepper, 91, passed away unexpectedly on August 21, 2013. Mary Lou was born in Glenwood, West Virginia, on December 15, 1921. As a young girl, she lived in various places around the state, eventually settling with her parents and sister in Huntington, West Virginia. There she went to college, married and raised her 2 children. She was a home economist for Appalachian Electric Power Company in Huntington, where her job was to teach people how to use an electric stove; so to be qualified, she needed to be a good cook. That skill remained with her until the day she died. In the early 1960's, her children grown, she moved on to live and work in Denver. There she remarried and became Mary Lou Culpepper. She spent the next decade working as a Manager in a Girls School and helping to raise her stepchildren. In the early 1980's, living alone then, she met Alton (Al) Sibley, who became her loving companion for the next 30 years. Sadly, Al passed away this past January. Until a few years ago, while in their mid 80's, Al and Mary Lou (and their dog, Buddy) enjoyed many summers in a camping trailer by a lake in the mountains near Gunnison. Their time there was spent boating, fishing, welcoming family and friends and having fun. Mary Lou was living independently in her home until the day she died, having just baked a fresh peach pie a few days before her death. She was known for her kindness and sense of humor, her love of quilting, and she was especially known for her incredible cooking ability. She was devoted to her family and friends, and she loved her church (Hope United Methodist) and the members she knew there. Her constant companion was her little dog Buddy, who is lucky to find a new home with the neighbor who he always thought of as his home away from home. Mary Lou was a rare precious gift to those who knew her. She had a number of friends, neighbors, and family members who cared deeply for her, and every one of them contributed to some part of her life, more recently enabling her to stay in her home. When referring to all the help she had, Mary Lou jokingly said, ""It takes a village......."" Mary Lou had many other names. Besides Mary Louise, she was also called Roo-Roo. Aunt Mary Lou. ML (Emmil). Mom. Sis. MareLouise. Grandma. And not to leave out Buddy who just called her ""arf arf"". There will be a service to celebrate her life on September 7, 2013, 10:00 AM at Hope United Methodist Church, 5101 S Dayton Street, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Reception to follow at the church with light refreshments. Mary Lou is survived by her Son Frank J Sanford (Marych O'Sullivan-Sanford) of Ireland 3 grandchildren Cynthia Poth Nanto, David Poth, Dana Sanford 5 great grand children Noelle Nanto, Kaela Nanto, Tommy Nanto, Megan Poth, Alyssa Poth Niece Kathy (Klein) Meyer Nephews Robert Klein and Harvey (Chip) Klein, Mark Mooney Stepchildren, Bill, Katy, and Carolyn Culpepper Beloved dog Buddy. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her Parents Garland and Una Fisher Brown Sister Betty Brown (Klein) Chan Daughter Janis Sanford (Poth) Hickok Devoted life companion Alton (Al) Sibley. Special thanks from her family to her friends, neighbors, the Sibley family, her extended family and all the other special people in her life who shared her joy of living, loved her cooking, and looked after her in so many ways we have yet to imagine. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the charity of your choice, or to the Colorado Humane Society http://www.coloradohumane.org/