Leta Maxine (Barber) Cooper, 91, of Windsor, Missouri, died Monday evening, December 2, 2024, at Ridge Crest Nursing Center, Warrensburg, Mo.
She was born March 8, 1933, in rural Benton County, Mo., near Lincoln, the daughter of Manard Wainwright Barber and Alvena (Beaman) Barber. On June 14, 1950, in Leeton, Mo., she married Roy Elliott Cooper and he preceded her in death on March 12, 2000.
After high school graduation and marriage, Leta worked at Rival Manufacturing for several years. Treasuring her role as mother, Leta was glad to stay home and raise her four children Roy, Steven, Troy, and Debra. She liked to bowl and also enjoyed the outdoors by spending time in her garden and hunting mushrooms. She was a skillful checkers player and could solve a word search puzzle faster than anyone. She was a faithful and loving caregiver for her son, Roy Jr., for 49 years until his death on November 16, 2022. A long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church, Windsor, Leta taught Sunday School for many years and was a faithful supporter of church ministries and the Lottie Moon Christmas offering.
Survivors include 2 sons, Steven W. Cooper (Angel Alverez), Hillsborough, North Carolina, and Troy A. Cooper (Tammy), San Francisco, California; a daughter, Debra Y. Nevils, Windsor, Mo.; a grandson, Christopher Nevils (Lisa Garcia), Rock Springs, Wyoming; 2 granddaughters, Tatum Nevils (Ethan Terry), San Francisco, Ca., and Tanya Hamilton (Tim Michael), Deepwater, Mo.; 5 great-grandchildren, Lillian, Piper, Evelyn, Cody, and Tucker; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.
In addition to her husband Roy Sr., she was preceded in death by a son, Roy E. Cooper Jr., a son-in-law, Johnny Nevils; a brother, Oscar Wainright Barber; and 2 sisters, Lillian Alvena Goucher and Lila Jane Wilson.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 6, 2024, at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor, with Pastor Duane Duchesne officiating. Burial will be in the Laurel Oak Cemetery, Windsor. The family will receive friends before the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The family suggests contributions to the Calvary Baptist Church, Windsor, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.hadleyfuneralhome.com.
