July 26, 1941 – November 16, 2022
Mary Ellen Cooper, 81, of Jacksboro, passed away Wednesday, November 16, at Advanced Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Bowie, with family by her side.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19th at 12:15 at Coker Funeral Home in Jacksboro. A funeral service will follow at 1:30. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home in Henrietta, Texas.
Mary Ellen was born on July 26, 1941, in Portales, New Mexico to Nathaniel and Leona (Ring) Lea. She graduated from Bowie High School in 1959. Shortly after graduation, she met the love of her life, Monty Ray Cooper, and they married on December 8, 1962, at the First Christian Church in Lubbock, Texas.
Once they started their life together, they moved to Brownfield, Texas and lived there until July 1980. Mary Ellen worked for the City of Brownfield and pursued her passion for sewing in the “Sew it with Cotton” contests in the west Texas area for many years.
Monty and Mary Ellen moved to Jacksboro in July of 1980 and have lived there since then. They were both active members of the Memorial Christian Church. Mary Ellen had served as a board member, taught Sunday school for many years, and found great joy in singing in the choir on Sunday mornings. She was also a long-time member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship (CWF).
Mary Ellen retired after 17 years of service from TXU on July 26, 2006. In her retirement, she continued to sew pageant dresses for her granddaughter Lindsey, and numerous Halloween costumes for the other grandchildren and was able to attend many events and functions supporting her 8 grandchildren. She was a wonderful mother, doting Mams, and a beautiful friend to many.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lewis Lea, sister Nelda Blevins, and grandson Brock Cooper.
Mary Ellen is survived by her loving husband, Monty of Jacksboro; son, Curtis Cooper and wife Lindy of Cross Plains; daughters Valerie Crafton and husband Shane of Henrietta, and Stephanie Lander and husband Kevin of Shady Shores; grandsons, Dusty Cooper and wife Katie of Franklin, Tyler Crafton of Wichita Falls, Ryan Crafton of Wichita Falls, Cooper Lander of Shady Shores; granddaughters, Lindsey Hoff and husband Kirkland of Dean, Emma Lander and Faith Lander of Shady Shores; 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Shirley Stults of Archer City and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the love and care Mary Ellen received from Beyond Faith Hospice of Wichita Falls.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to The Jacksboro Parish or the Alzheimer’s Association.
