Photo courtesy of Burks-Walker-Tippit Funeral Directors - Tyler
Tyler, Texas
May 16, 1926 – Mar 9, 2021 (Age 94)
Services for Sarah Jane Cooper, 94, of Tyler, will be held on Saturday, March 13, at 1 PM at First Baptist Church, Tyler, with Rev. Scott Richardson and Rev. Pike Wisner officiating.
Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Jackson’s Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home.
Mrs. Cooper passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021.
She was born May 16, 1926, in Longview to W.M. and Eva Windham Lamb.
A graduate of Sherman High School, Mrs. Cooper attended Austin College. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and her Master’s in Library Science from North Texas State University.
Mrs. Cooper taught fifth grade at Birdwell Elementary for 29 years.
A devoted member of First Baptist Church Tyler for seven decades, Mrs. Cooper served for a time as church librarian. She was also active in the ABC quilting group.
She and her husband Hugh were longtime members of United Commercial Travelers, Tyler Council 306, joining in 1955. One of her proudest accomplishments was serving UCT International as Supreme Counselor for the Ladies’ Auxiliary. She served as president of Alpha Delta Kappa teachers’ sorority and the Retired Teachers Association. She was also a lifetime member of the PTA, as well as Tyler Women’s Forum and the home demonstration club.
Mrs. Cooper was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 68 years, Hugh Cooper; sister, Wileva Mullins; daughter-in-law, Tammy Cooper; and great-granddaughter, Kennedy Grace Cooper.
Survivors include her son Cary Cooper and wife Nancy of Texas City; son Kent Cooper of Whitehouse; grandchildren Matt Cooper and wife Annie of League City; Mark Cooper and wife Jennifer of Dickinson; Cory Cooper of Arp; Christy Cooper of Tyler; and three great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Smith, John Jarvis, Darwin Fuller, and grandsons Matt Cooper, Mark Cooper, and Cory Cooper.
Visitation is scheduled from 5-7 PM Friday at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Whitehouse Library/Youth Fund.
To view online, please go to www.burkswalkertippit.com.
Read MoreKent, Cary and family, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you over the passing of your Mother. She was my 5th Grade teacher at Birdwell Elementary School, and was by far, my favorite teacher.
Stuart Scarborough
April 04, 2021 | Sealy, TX | Friend
To Cary and Kent and family -- My sympathy to all of you for the loss of your wonderful mother and grandmother and friend. The Cooper family has always been special to me as Sarah was my fifth grade teacher at Birdwell and Cary was a good friend to my older brother Mike. I am so grateful that I had a nice long conversation with Sarah in October and we reminisced about the Birdwell days and more. She is with our Lord now and we will see her again, I am sure. Still, I know it hurts so much and...
Pat Wheeler
March 16, 2021 | Dallas, TX | Friend
Sarah was the sweetest woman, she always cared for others so much! As a member of our Sunday School class she was always so active. I was lucky to get to visit with Sarah shortly before Christmas and I’ll treasure the note she wrote me in December. She lived her family and spoke of them so often. She will be terribly missed. And I am so sorry that I didn’t learn of her death until today, and that I missed the funeral.
Jana Mueller
March 14, 2021 | Chandler, TX | Friend
Mrs. Cooper welcomed me and my husband to First Baptist Church with her sweet smile. We sat behind her and a few of her friends in the worship service. We have missed her and will always remember how kind she was to us.
Linda and Curtis Lane
March 13, 2021 | Tyler, TX
Wonderful picture, but then Sarah always looked charming & was active at FBC for years. Sorry I will be unable to attend the service today, but know it will be meaningful. Blessings to all the family, Carolyn Halbrooks Bain
Carolyn Bain
March 13, 2021 | Tyler, TX | Friend
Mrs. Sarah was a devoted Christian and she was a Inspiration to anybody that new her. Was part of the Texas Education Extension Association-Smith County for 34 years. She will be missed.
Connie Troxell
March 12, 2021 | Tyker, TX | Friend
Prayers to the Cooper family. I knew Sarah for 11 years through the Extension Education group. She was an awesome woman and she will be missed.
Elaine Jackson
March 12, 2021 | WHITEHOUSE, TX | Friend
Sarah was a lovely person, and she will be greatly missed. She epitomized "southern grace" for me, and her warmth and kindness were always appreciated. My condolences to her loved ones.
Linda Fisher
March 12, 2021 | Columbus, OH
Prayers to the entire Cooper family. The heavenly reunion going on now must be awesome. Well done ye good and faithful servant. Go rest high upon the mountain. Jim and Teresa Avent Hodge.
Teresa Avent Hodge
March 10, 2021 | Tyler, TX | Friend