Sharon Cooper

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Sharon Lou Cooper, age 74, of Joplin, MO passed away peacefully at home on April 8, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with vascular dementia.

She was born on May 5, 1951, in Excelsior Springs, MO, to Eula Mae Vandevender. Sharon experienced loss at a young age when her mother passed away when she was just four years old. She and her sister were later lovingly adopted by Wilbur and Nadine Vandevender-Lewis, who raised them as their own.

Sharon was married to John Edward Cooper on July 7, 1978, in Miami, OK.

Sharon dedicated 41 years of her professional life as an executive bookkeeper, payroll specialist, and tax preparer for Myers, Baker, Rife and Denham, also known as Baker, Davis and Roderique. Her long-standing commitment reflected her strong work ethic, reliability, and attention to detail.

She was a woman who found great joy in the simple beauty of life. Sharon loved all animals and wildlife, spending time working in her yard, and being surrounded by nature. Her compassion extended beyond her home, as she faithfully contributed to numerous animal and wildlife charities.

Sharon was a strong believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and was a dedicated member of Crosspoint Fellowship in Diamond, Missouri.

She is survived by her siblings, Janice Persell of Spickard, MO; Jim Cornwell of Branson, MO (wife Janice); and Trisha McMahan of Keller, TX; and she was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ann Cornwell and brother-in-law, Bruce Persell.

She was a devoted mother to her two children, Jeffrey Ray Hickman of Howell, MI, and Andrea Leigh Ritcheson of Carthage, MO.

Sharon was a proud grandmother to Austin Fields (Kerri), Ashleigh Fields (Paden), Tyler Hickman (Jaidan), and Collin Hickman, and a loving great-grandmother to Hazel Hickman and Ellie Fields.

Sharon’s life was marked by love, resilience, and kindness. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, but her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Services will be held at 1:00pm, Friday, April 17, 2026 at Mason-Woodard Mortuary with a visitation held from 5:00-6:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Arrangements in care of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.