Rushia Cooper

Rushia Mae Cooper, 98, of Orange, passed away Dec. 29, at her home in Orange.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 3, at First United Methodist Church in Orange with the Rev. John Warren officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Oakdale La.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, Jan. 2, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Oakdale, Dec. 25, 1916, Rushia Mae Cooper was the daughter of Dr. George E. and Sarah Ellen Butchee. Rushia Mae was a graduate of the Class of 1933 at Oakdale High School in Oakdale. She attended college at Louisiana State Normal School, now known as Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French and a qualified certificate in elementary education. Rushia taught school in Kinder, La. for two years and at Oakdale High School for 11 years.

She was married to Davis (Jim) Cooper for 56 years and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Orange, serving on numerous committees. Rushia Mae sang in the Chancel Choir for over 50 years and directed children’s choir for several years. She also served on the Board of Stewards. Rushia was a member of the Chamber Musician Organization for many years and served as a director on the Board of Directors of Community Concert Association. She was a member of Lutcher Theater, Sunset Country Club, and Delta Kappa Gama Teacher’s Organization.

She is survived by many nieces and nephews, including those by her side, Jennifer Cox Horak, Rebecca Cox Ezell and Ashley Rion and husband, Joe; great-great nieces and nephews, Hayden Davis Horak, Charlie Anne Horak, Weslyn McCoy Smalley, Dylan Brooke Rion and Tyler Grace Rion.

Serving as pallbearers will be Edward Cox, Robert Joseph Cochran, George Butchee, Joe Rion, Alan Sanders, Philip Marshall and Amy Erwin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 502 North 6th Street, Orange, Texas 77630.