Mary Jane Cooper

Carterville

Mary Jane Cooper, 91, of Carterville, passed peacefully Friday, November 18, 2022, at her home, surrounded by her family.

She was born November 21, 1930, in Herrin, to William Howard and Eva Mellissa (Stephens) Sexton. Mary Jane married Kenneth Myron Cooper on October 3, 1953, in Blairsville.

Mary Jane is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Kenneth Cooper of Carterville; children, Donna Jean Towle of West Frankfort, Kendra Sue (Mike) Smith of Herrin, and Nancy Ann (Jeff) Nicholls of Virginia Beach; grandchildren, Annette, Tim, Justin, Nicole, Autumn, Denny, Shana, John, Heather, Deven, Angie, Jared; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Kim, Nikki, Alec, Colton, Mason, Brees, Willow, Levi, Owen, Trent, Kiera; great great-grandchildren, Lakelyn and Dayton; siblings, Connie (Jerry) Chapman, and Sharon Gaddis; sisters-in-law, Jeanetta Sexton, Imogene Sexton, Linda Sexton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Marcia Beth Holt; sons-in-law, David Towle and Ed Holt; siblings; Evelyn (Wilson) Nation, Mildred (Lynnford) Hale, Betty (Ray) Farris, Billy Sexton, Donald (Etta Jean) Sexton, Tom Sexton, Paul Sexton, Gary Sexton; and brother-in-law, Don Gaddis.

Mary Jane loved her husband, her family, her friends, and her family members friends’ too. She had a giving heart and liked to share her items such as clothing, shoes and jewelry, and Knick-knacks with others, and she enjoyed meeting people as well as making sure people were fed! Mary Jane also enjoyed going shopping and out to eat; making crafts; dancing-particularly fond of square, line, round, and slow dancing, traveling, and just living life.

Special thanks to Residential Hospice for the wonderful and devoted care they provided to Mary and the entire family – Serena, Jane, Mel, Jennifer, Liz, and Ivan. They were all professional and kind and truly have found their calling in life. Mary Jane held a special appreciation for Taylor, Teresa, and Cindy for their loving care. 

Per Mary Jane’s wishes she did not want a funeral service but a celebration of life which will be held at a later date.

The family appreciates the thoughtfulness and respectful care given Mary Jane and family by Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville while assisting the family with arrangements. For more information, visit rigginpillatschburkefh.com.

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