Lois Cooperrider

(From Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home)

Lois Pearl (Reed) Cooperrider, 75, was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus Sunday evening, March 20, 2022, at Oak Pointe in Warrenton, Missouri.

She was a long-time resident of Carthage and then Monett, Missouri, after attending college in Kentucky and growing up in Winfield, Kansas.

Lois was born August 13, 1946, to Byron Eugene and Alice Mae (Boatright) Reed, the second of five children. On December 17, 1967, she wed David William Cooperrider, and they were married nearly 25 years. To this union were born three daughters.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents (Byron Reed & Alice Reed Burchfield), older brother (Loren), son-in-law (Dave Paternoster), former husband (David Cooperrider), and, most recently, by her beloved feline companion (Li’l Wiskers).

She is survived by her children: Deborah (Bruce) Rutherfurd, Susan (Jerry) Meyers, and Gail (Bob) Prenger; Grandson: Joshua Cooperrider; sisters and brother: Kay (Lenny) Gringas, Sam (Kathy) Reed, and Donna (David) Smith; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers- and sisters-in-law; and many friends.

Lois knew Jesus from birth and dedicated herself to Him at an early age. Lois was on mission her entire life and did her best to be an example of Jesus’ love. She was an active member of several churches throughout her 75 years including Evangelical United Brethren (Winfield, KS), Mt. Lebanon United Methodist (Nicholasville, KY), Faith Lutheran (Carthage, MO), and St. John’s Lutheran (Monett, MO).

Lois enjoyed singing and she and her sister, Kay, performed many duets in their church before leaving home. As a youth, she enjoyed basketball and tennis, and she was skilled at ping pong / table tennis. Graduating in 1964 from Winfield High School, she completed her education in 1968 at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-6). Upon moving to Missouri, Lois received her Lifetime Teaching Certificate and taught in public school before the birth of her first daughter.

Lois loved her family and did not let distance prevent her from participating in milestone life events such as high school graduations and weddings of nieces and nephews. She was active in the lives of her grandchildren (Joshua Cooperrider, Nathaniel Barnes, and Alexis Gallmeyer) and enjoyed the family relationships she had with Krista Hinson and Chad Dwight.

Lois put the needs of others first (whether they be human or animal), was a loyal and empathetic friend, and an advocate for those who could not speak for themselves. She rarely had anything but good things to say about people and always saw the good in them. She was quick to smile and did her best to make people feel welcome and valued. She always had time to help, or to listen.

Animals were much a part of Lois’ life, whether it was pets or farm animals. She and David were Amway Distributors for many years when their girls were little. She was good at scrapbooking and enjoyed assembling albums with photos for her family. Lois was a softball coach and active in Girl Scouts for several years and present at her children’s events, whether they be ball games, track, marching band performances, or indoor band concerts. Her mother was a seamstress, and she, too, sewed many outfits for herself and her daughters while they were young. She canned vegetables from their family gardens and was a homemaker most of her girls’ formative years.

Lois was forever a teacher at heart and loved ALL of God’s children. She firmly believed everyone has the right to an education. She worked with church youth, taught Sunday School, served as Sunday School Superintendent, and taught 5th Grade in Kentucky for the 1968-1969 school year. During 1971, she taught Remedial Math in the Jasper Missouri R-5 Elementary School. Her daughters learned much from her at home prior to and while attending public schools K-12. Although most of her 30+ years at Oakview State School (for the severely disabled) were as Secretary, she served as Summer School Teacher some years and cared deeply for Oakview’s students. She was an avid amateur photographer, often snapping away at family gatherings and other events, and took thousands of pictures during her time at Oakview, making photo collages of their graduates and assembling the annual yearbooks. She retired from Oakview in 2015.

Lois touched many lives and will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 23237 Hwy H, Monett, Missouri, on Friday, April 8th, at 1:30 pm. The family will receive friends on the 8th from noon until service time at the church. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home, Monett, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to St. John’s Lutheran Church (for Sunday School and Educational purposes), in care of the funeral home, or you may donate to the charity of your choice.

To view a video tribute of Lois, please visit her online obituary at www.pitmanfuneralhome.com.