Barbara Jean Cooper, daughter of the late Vasel and Ruby (Hicks) Proctor, was born August 15, 1947, in Norwood, Missouri, and passed away September 12, 2023, with her loving husband by her side, at Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston, Missouri, at 76 years and 28 days of age.
Barb grew up in the Champion area of Douglas County, Missouri, and had to go all the way to Ozark County to find the love of her life, Darrell Cooper. Darrell and Barb have shared 51 wonderful long filled years together.
Barb worked for Brown Shoe Company for several years before she started working at the Mountain Grove School District. She worked for the school for 26 years where everyone at the school became part of her family, especially the students. After retirement, when Barb would be out and about, she would get so excited to see some of her school kids.
The old saying says, “If you can’t take it, don’t give it.” Barb loved to give and take it. Ronnie Emery probably received most of it. Barb’s famous words to most of us were, “Oh, I know.”
Barb loved to care for her flowers and her big garden each year with Darrell by her side. Barb loved her family, especially her two biggest twinkles in her eyes, Hayden and Ella. She also loved puzzles, reading, embroidering, quilting, fishing, playing the lottery, hunting, and sitting on the deck drinking coffee with Darrell, watching their wildlife.
Besides her parents, Barb was preceded in death by her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Loyd and Erma Cooper, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Mona and Baxter Foster, Norma and Bob Steele, Harold Cooper and Kate Proctor.
She is survived by her husband, Darrell Cooper of Mountain Grove, her daughter, Pam Doan and husband, Marlon, of Cabool, Missouri, her son, Tommy Cooper and wife, Vanilyn, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, two grandchildren, Hayden and Ella Cooper, three brothers, Pete Proctor and wife, Phyllis, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Gary Proctor of Mountain Grove, Missouri, Frank Proctor and wife, Freda, of Warsaw, Missouri, sisters and brothers-in-law, Pauline Adkisson and husband, Tom, of Springfield, Missouri, Imogene Pierce and husband, Gene, of Lebanon, Missouri, Sue Murphy and husband, Dwain, of Mountain Grove, Pam Cooper of Thornfield, Missouri, and many other special family members.
Barb will be missed by so many, and she also knew how much she was loved by us all.
A memorial graveside will take place at Denlow Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Denlow Cemetery or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
