Betty JoAnn Cooper

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Betty JoAnn Cooper, age 75, a resident of Richards, Mo., died Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at her home in Richards, following a cancer illness. She was born May 12, 1933, in Richards, Mo., the daughter of Clyde Rye and Frances V. "Toss" Norris Rye. She married Thomas G. Cooper on Dec. 25, 1949, at Richards. In addition to being a homemaker, Betty had worked for Wal-Mart, in Fort Scott, as head of the clothing department. She was known for helping the elderly of her community.

Survivors include her husband, Tom, of the home; two sons, Michael Cooper and wife Judy, of Fort Scott; Thomas Cooper and Deb Snowden, of Richards; two daughters, Pamela Speer and husband John, of Redfield, Kan., and Debra Ebersold and husband, Dennis, of Lathrop, Mo. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Ben Rye, a sister, Byrldene Cooper, a grandson, Michael Speer, granddaughter, Missy Jackson, and a great-granddaughter.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the Richland Cemetery, Richards. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the Betty Cooper Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of sympathy may be e-mailed to the family at condolences@cheneywitt.com.