Tanya Cooley Williams

Inspiration. Treasure. Sweetheart. Favorite teacher. Bright light. Wonderful spirit. Universally loved. All-around amazing. One of Mr. Rogers’ helpers. Loving and generous, smart as a whip, and brave beyond words. That’s quite a legacy for one person. But if you knew Tanya Cooley Williams, those words written on social media the day after her death ring true. You know that the world was a better place because of her smiles and sweet energy freely given to all.
Tanya Williams, 73, died Thursday, Nov. 28, Thanksgiving morning, at her home in Springfield. The daughter of Floyd and Joan Cooley, she was born April 9, 1951 and grew up in Mansfield. When she was a toddler, a polio epidemic swept the country, and Tanya was one of the over 20,000 who survived, but were paralyzed by the virus. As all who loved her know well, she never let that condition determine her spirit. She climbed steep stairs in elementary and junior high school by locking her braces, handing her crutches to classmates, and holding on to the railing. She attended college classes at Drury University in the pre-elevator days. She navigated later years in a wheelchair. And not once did she ever complain about her physical limits. Always smiling. Always positive. Always encouraging and thoughtful and cheerful. During high school years, Tanya excelled in academics, but the area where her talent was most evident was music. Year after year, her beautiful voice collected a series of top state awards for solo performances. She sang at countless events, including a state honor society convention. Following high school graduation in 1969, Tanya earned a mathematics degree at Drury, then a master’s degree in counseling from Missouri State University. For 33 years, she worked in public schools as a guidance counselor, and also served as a confidential advisor to many friends, family and strangers. Tanya was a proud Democrat and lifelong civil rights defender who advocated through support of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Habitat for Humanity, Harmony House, and more. She was an avid cross-stitcher, reader and HBO binger. Her life was enriched by travels to Greece, Mexico, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France, England, Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand.
She is survived by husband, Pat Williams; brother, Tony Cooley and his wife, Laura; brother- and sister-in-law, Eric and Terry Spyres; and sister-in-law, Tonya Wallace. Nieces and nephews are Timo Cooley; Prosha Cooley; Sean Spyres, wife, Kate Hundley, and their children, Owyn and Elliot; Niece Allyson Ly; Michael Spyres, wife, Tara Stafford-Spyres, and their children, Ari and Theo; Erica Spyres and husband Andrew Jackson.