Mary Alice Cooper

Mary Alice Cooper was born on March 31, 1945, at Whistleville Plantation in rural Manila, Arkansas, to Howard and Katherine (Smith) Taylor. Delivered by a midwife, Mary was the seventh of twelve children. She had a twin brother, Freddy Allen, who sadly passed away at birth from meningitis. At age thirteen, Mary was baptized in the river at Armorel, Arkansas, by Pastor B.L. Hampton of the Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Mary began her education at a one-room schoolhouse on the plantation. She continued her studies from sixth through twelfth grade in Luxora, Arkansas, graduating in the top ten of her class as Salutatorian. During her school years, Mary met George Carver Cooper, who became her high school sweetheart and love of her life. They married on April 16, 1964, and enjoyed sixty-two years of marriage. Together, they were blessed with two sons: Keenan Carver and Marcus Sinclair. In 1964, George’s military deployment took him to Munich, Germany. Mary joined him there, serving as a Sunday School teacher. After three years, they returned to the United States, settling at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Mary and George moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in the late 1960s. Mary began working at DePaul Hospital (Catholic Sisters of Mercy) in Bridgeton, Missouri in March 1969, retiring in October 2010. She served as unit secretary in the ICU, maternity ward, and wherever needed. Mary also volunteered at the Urban League of St. Louis as a front desk clerk and at the Life Care Nursing Facility. She was known for her love of God’s people and her outstanding work ethic. In May 1968, Mary and her sister joined the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church of St. Louis. The church was led by Pastor Willis Wilson and later Pastor Gregory Davis, with Evangelist Calvin Thomas as youth minister. Mary and George served as Deacon and Deaconess. Mary also served as nurse on the Usher Board and oversaw the kitchen auxiliary. In 2016, Mary and George moved to Waynesville to be closer to her sister and joined the First Baptist Church of St. Robert. They served as Deacon and Deaconess beginning in 2018. Mary experienced a brief illness from her birthday on March 31 until her passing on her and George’s sixty-second anniversary, April 16, 2026. She faced each challenge with strong faith and perseverance, ultimately gaining victory. Mary is remembered by a cloud of witnesses, along with her loving family who preceded her in death: her parents, ten siblings, and one granddaughter, Tiara. Mary leaves behind her devoted husband of sixty-two years, George Cooper; two children, Keenan Cooper (Lovie) and Marcus Cooper (Krisie) of St. Robert, Missouri; three grandchildren, Ashley, Quenton, and Deonte; five great-grandchildren; her sister, Ora Taylor of Waynesville, Missouri; her aunt, Dorothy Taylor Harris (Elbert) of Chicago, Illinois; and four sisters-in-law: Evelyn Smith of Flint, Michigan, Charlene Taylor of Luxora, Arkansas, Betty Allen of Dallas, Texas, and Betty Cooper of Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by the Cooper family—Terry Mae, Diane, Helois, Gloria Jean, and Debra—and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Mary is fondly remembered by her neighbors and friends of Shannon Valley: Ms. Betty, Ms. Lynn, Evangelist Proctor, and Ms. Irene; caregivers and friends, Barbara and Ruby; the Senior Center staff, where she and George were crowned King and Queen for two years (2021–2023) and served daily meals; the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church family; friends from St. Louis—including Rose Dixson, Letha King, Ann Harris, Loren, Trudy, and Annie Mae Tinnon; her beloved Pastor Terrance Golden and First Lady Carmen; and her brothers and sisters of First Baptist Church of St. Robert. Mary Alice Cooper will be remembered and celebrated as a loving and faithful wife, caring mother, homemaker, exceptional cook, Christian woman of faith, and a Diva with Miles of Style. To God Be the Glory! Celebration of Life services were held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2026 in the First Baptist Church of St. Robert, Missouri with Pastor Terrance W. Golden, Sr. officiating. Music was provided by soloist Cassie Allen and the First Baptist Church choir. Services and arrangements were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mary Cooper and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert or at the church the day of the service.

Mary Alice Cooper

March 31, 1945 - April 16, 2026