Jacqueline D. “Jacque” Cooper

A mere 40 days before her 99^th birthday, Jacqueline D. “Jacque” Cooper passed away in a College Station, TX hospital into her Lord’s hands on Thursday, April 21, 2022.  Jacqueline was born on May 31, 1923 in Joaquin, Shelby County, TX; the only child of Leonard Bernice “Jack” Davidson and Hilda Ida Truitt Davidson.

Jacque spent most of her early years in Elizabeth, LA, a small paper mill town in Allen Parish.  She graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1940.  Her dream was to become a Registered Nurse.  Upon high school graduation, she was too young to apply to nursing schools, so, she registered at and attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute until she reached age 18.  In January 1942, Jacque received an acceptance letter from The Baton Rouge General Hospital Nursing School.  She had been accepted to begin nursing school on February 2, 1942.  Tuition for the first year was $20.

Upon graduation from nursing school, Jacque and her best friend, Helen Califf, hopped a train for Santa Monica, CA.  Their first jobs out of nursing school were at Santa Monica General Hospital.  Jackie was a surgical nurse in Santa Monica.  She worked in Santa Monica for a couple of years, then returned to Baton Rouge, LA, where her parents lived.

In 1953, Jacque and her two young children moved to Odessa, TX, where she wielded the syringes in Dr. Jack Turner’s office.  In March 1955, a tall, thin oil man from Navarro County, Texas sought relief from Dr. Turner from a West Texas sandstorm.  Les Cooper was his name, and once Jacque’s children, Jackie and Ed, wrapped Les around their little fingers, wedding bells could be heard.  Les and Jacque were married on June 16, 1956 in Denton, Texas. Youngest son, Roger, joined the team in 1959.  After assignments in Electra and Lubbock, the family settled in Midland in 1966.  Jacque worked for several doctors in Lubbock and Midland.

During her 51 years in Midland, Jacque was an active member in the Keystone Sunday School Class and the hand bell choir at St. Luke’s UMC.  She was also active for several years at Norman Reed Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter 1010, serving as Worthy Matron for one year.  She also volunteered her time at Amos Food Bank.

Les passed away in 2014.  Les and Jacque had been married just shy of 56 years upon his passing.  In 2017, Jackie decided that she wanted to be nearer to family, so she moved into the Kruse Village in Brenham, TX.

Family celebrating Jacque’s life includes son, Edward A. Cooper and wife Vairee of Lubbock; daughter, Jacqueline J. Holmes and husband Bill of Burton; son, Roger Cooper and wife Melanie of Rowlett. Jacque was also blessed with six grandchildren, David Holmes, Wendy Massey, Lindsay Cooper, Michael Holmes, Andy Cooper and Scott Cooper, plus five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by both parents, husband Les and grandsons Richard Todd Cooper and Mark Edward Cooper.

Graveside service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park, 4616 N Big Spring Street in Midland, TX on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to either the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas TX 75219, or St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3011 W Kansas, Midland, TX  79701.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com.