Martha Jane Cooper, 82, formerly of Mexico, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at The Villa at Blue Ridge in Columbia.

Private Graveside services will be held at East Lawn Memorial Park.  Bill Daly will be officiating the service.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Arnold Funeral Home.

Jane was born on March 12, 1942 in Mexico, the daughter of Hugh James and Thelma Belle (Wilburn) Williams.  On August 27, 1961 she married Gerald (Jerry) Cooper in Mexico, who preceded her in death.

Jane loved daylilies, a love she shared with her late sister-in-law, Jane Guthrie. When her daughters were younger, she sewed frequently and made many of their clothes. Jane liked to do crafting projects which included making Christmas wreaths.  She would also enlist Jerry to cut out wooden decorations that she would later paint and embellish. She loved cats and enjoyed watching them play and the companionship they provided.

Jane worked many different jobs with one of her first jobs being a teacher in a one room schoolhouse. She stayed home and raised her daughters till they were school age and then worked for many years at various retail stores including Montgomery Ward, a local fabric shop, clothing shop and finally as an office assistant/receptionist for Dr. Peak.

Survivors include three daughters, Susan Cooper of Lee's Summit, Carole Nolan of Mexico and Diana (Kevin) Moroney of Columbia; one granddaughter, Amber Nolan of Mexico; one sister, Sharon (Bill) Daly of Columbia; one brother, Hugh (Sue) Williams of Columbia. Also surviving are sister-in-laws Mary Helen Cooper, Jill Cooper, Jody Fetterhoff, Judy Lowery and Glenda Williams, cousin Mary Moore as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Cooper; parents, Hugh and Thelma Williams; and two brothers, James Williams and Norman Williams.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Dialysis Clinic in Mexico. Memorials may be sent in care of Dialysis Clinic, Inc., 806 Medical Park Dr, Mexico, MO 65265.