Patsy Cooper

Patsy Ruth Cooper, 73, died Thursday, April 23, 2020, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House at St. Bernards of Alzheimer’s disease. She was the youngest child of Eddie Cooper Sr. and Beatrice Peeler Cooper, born Sept. 15, 1946.

Patsy was raised and educated in the Bay cotton farm community where she kept lifelong friendships with her graduating class. She helped plan Bay reunions and dinner get-togethers with classmates. An independent working woman, Patsy bought her own vehicles from childhood pal Mel White at Central Dealers. She was a loyal, kind and helpful friend.

At age 20 Patsy was hired at The Jonesboro Sun on April 1, 1967. She held many positions including proofreader, typesetter and ad composition. Patsy was the first production employee to be trained on computers when Mr. Troutt invested in new technology for the newspaper.

She was chosen for her aptitude and attitude to embrace industry change from a department of men who were skeptics. Over the course of five decades Patsy dedicated herself to learning various jobs and the newest computer programs.

She took pride in her work and was a great supporter of The Sun , always happy to attend Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce events and Jonesboro Board of Realtors socials. She made many friends in the business community as people valued her willingness to listen and help them.

Patsy was an active member of Mount Carmel United Methodist Church. For years she produced the Sunday bulletin, sang in the choir, participated in United Methodist Women meetings and Extension Homemakers Club projects.

As a dedicated Christian, she took “the Lord’s work” seriously and was a fine example for “Love thy neighbor as thy self.” It was common for one of her Stallings Addition neighbors to call the newspaper before 5 p.m. to request a grocery item, a Soo’s drug store pick-up or a Popeye’s ice tea on her way home.

Patsy helped them all and took time to visit.

A lifelong caregiver, Patsy aided her parents and brothers until their deaths. She loved car rides with brother Eddie “Coonie” Cooper Jr. to Mr. T’s for lotto tickets or a good meal out.

Her nephews Eddie, Eric, Brandon and great-niece Avery brought much family pride and joy to Patsy’s life. She marveled in their accomplishments and growth. Patsy trusted Eric to look after her affairs and well-being often telling close friends she knew that she could always count on him.

Patsy loved to see movies at The Malco, she shopped at Dillard’s and Ima’s and enjoyed stylish clothes and accessories. She was “put together” for work days, church and leisure.

She was a good cook and an accomplished baker often adding Arkansas pecans that she gathered and shelled herself. She loved to share fresh baked goods with her co-workers and neighbors.

Patsy was a lifelong reader who valued being in-the-know.

On Jan. 17, 2014, Patsy retired from The Sun after 46 years and 9 months of work. Alzheimer’s was taking a toll on her health. She was loved, invited back for special events at the newspaper office and not forgotten by co-workers or management.

Prior to moving to St. Bernards Villa, Patsy attended a Sun Thanksgiving luncheon where she entertained everyone by telling humorous stories from a bygone newspaper era. Her contagious laugh brought happiness to the office. It was a treasured good day.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Pauline Morud; brothers, W.E. Cooper, A.J. Cooper and Eddie “Coonie” Cooper Jr.; a niece, Linda Bagnoud; and a nephew, Freddie Klutts.

Patsy is survived by out-of-state nieces, Judy Esman (Tom) and Paula Leddy (Carl); nephew, Mike Cooper (Rita), and her Jonesboro area nephews, Eddie Cooper (Kathy) and Eric Cooper (Christy); a great-nephew, Brandon Cooper; and a great-niece, Avery Bren Cooper.

The family offers sincere thanks to the staff at St. Bernards Villa-Memory Care Center, St. Bernards Total Life Healthcare and the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House. Exceptional care was their standard, along with a love for Patsy and that nurturing was appreciated.

Under the direction of Emerson Funeral Home, graveside services, officiated by Pastor Wayne Clark, will be held in Pine Hill Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 27, 2020.

A celebration of life memorial will happen when COVID-19 restrictions lift. An invitation will publish.