Barbara Jean Cooper, 95, of Festus died Dec. 7, 2023, at Crystal Oaks Nursing Home in Festus. Mrs. Cooper was a retired school secretary for Festus R-6 Middle School and a member of the First Baptist Church of Festus/Crystal City. She was a WWII bride from the state of Texas with some roots in Missouri. She loved Christ and spending time with her family. She was known for always wearing a smile on her face. Born Nov. 13, 1928, in Mercedes, Texas, she was the daughter of the late Edythe Mae (Barter) and William Ross Guion.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Wendell “Leroy” Cooper.
She is survived by a son: Michael (Linny) Cooper of De Soto; a brother: Donald Guion of Corpus Christi, Texas; a brother-in-law: Dr. Leslie (the late Lorraine Cooper) Sabo of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Sarah (Ray) Gonzales, Rebecca (Alan) Zentz, Zachary Cooper, Jordana Cooper, Aurianna Cooper, Kelsey (Paul) Sipe and Brandon Cooper; and 13 great-grandchildren.
She also was preceded in death by two sons: Rodney Cooper and Rick (Cheri survives of Ironton) Cooper; and a brother: Charles Guion.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Pastor Tim Richards of Concord Church in St. Louis. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Festus/Crystal City. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.