Retha Mae Cooper

RETHA MAE COOPER

was born in Dell, Arkansas on March 23, 1939, the daughter of the late James Alan Stout and Lucille Vess Pilgrim.

In 1954 she was united in marriage to Loye Calvin Starkey, who preceded his wife in death in 1980. Later in 1987 Retha married James Franklin Cooper, who preceded her in death in 2008.

Retha was a former resident of Osceola, Arkansas, Crump, Tennessee and California. She was a cafeteria worker for 3 years for the Osceola, Arkansas school system. In her spare time Retha loved playing card games, Bingo, Bunko, canning, sewing and crocheting.

She departed this life on August 1, 2018 in Memphis, Tennessee at the age of 79 years, 4 months and 9 days.

Retha is survived by her children, Elaine Kuper and her husband Marvin of Tulare, California, James C. Starkey of Savannah, Tennessee, Charley M. Starkey of Crump, Tennessee and Scott Wayne Starkey and his wife Sherretta of Reagan, Tennessee; one stepdaughter, Carolyn Brown and her husband James of Mississippi; 13 grandchildren, Anthony Starkey, Tanya Hoyt, Kevin Starkey, Salena Keirns, Coddie Starkey, Amanda Starkey, Brandon Starkey, Trevor Starkey, Isaac Nelson, Nancy Kuper, Jimmy Kuper, JoAnn Starkey and Carla Wooten; and 34 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and two husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Neely Joe Starkey; a sister, Janet Kilpatrick; and her granddaughter, Katlynn Mae Starkey.