Betty Jo Johnson Cooper 1930 - 2024 - BHS Class of 1947
Tom Estes
Betty Jo Johnson Cooper was called home on March 26, 2024, at the age of 93. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. She was born in Pearsall, Texas to Marcus and Lucille (Cavender) Johnson on August 11, 1930. She graduated from Bishop High School in 1947 where she was a cheerleader, homecoming queen and a member of the Rainbow Girls.
She married her husband of 72 years, Bobby L. Cooper, on November 23, 1949. They started their life in Bishop before settling in Kingsville. In Kingsville, Betty was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church where she served in the children’s department for 50 years and was a part of the bereavement committee.
Betty was very involved with her daughters’ school activities. She was a room mom, helped with the Lamar’s carnivals, the P.T.A., the King’s Ladies Dance Team and Alpha Delta Pi sorority among other activities. She was such a significant part of her daughters’ lives.
She loved being a part of the Women’s Club of Kingsville, her needlepoint club, working in their beautiful yard, sporting events, especially Texas A&I football and basketball, and her animals.
Betty and Bobby lived such a simple life enjoying their life in Kingsville with their family, friends and church.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Bobby Cooper, her parents Marcus and Lucille Johnson and her brother Marcus “Buddy” Johnson. She is survived by her three daughters: Debra Hughes (Stephen), Dana Strubhart (Anthony) and Lisa Malesky (David). Five grandchildren: Jennifer Borderud (Josh), Adam Hughes, Lindsey Muennink (Cody), Laura Tesch (Derek), and Allison Klar (Cody). Six great-grandchildren: Russell Cooper (R.C.) Borderud, Lillian (Lillie) Borderud, Carson Tesch, Cooper Tesch, Caesen Klar and Lacey Klar. Pallbearers: Stephen Hughes, Anthony Strubhart, David Malesky, Adam Hughes, Josh Borderud, Cody Muennink, Derek Tesch, Cody Klar, Mark Johnson and Rodney Johnson.
Visitation will be on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the First Baptist Church Kingsville from 9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.; with the funeral service starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Chamberlain Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Kingsville, 312 W. King Avenue, Kingsville, Tx 78363. The Shriners Children’s Hospital at lovetotherescue.org.