Ressie D. Cooper, age 84 of Malvern, died Friday evening in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. She was born in Malvern on January 30, 1924 to the late William Robert "Doc" and Verdi Belle Yates Parker. Reared and educated in Malvern, she was the widow of the late E. O. Cooper, to whom she was married on December 6, 1941. He preceded her in death on May 18, 1999. While raising a family, she worked along side her husband in his State Farm Insurance agency for many years. Through the years, they both regularly helped those less fortunate by means of anonymous philanthropy. A 60-year member of Third Baptist Church, Ressie was very active as long as her health permitted, and headed the church nursery in her younger years. She was a member and past Worthy Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star, served as an officer in the Malvern chapter of the Business and Professional Women's club, and was involved in the Arkansas Lung Association. Prior to her own residency, Ressie enjoyed visiting people, whether they were friends or strangers, in the local nursing homes.

She is survived by her daughter, Olivia Cooper Northcutt of Malvern; two sons, Ernest Oliver (Bubby) Cooper, III, and Billy Bob Cooper and his life-long friend Judy Bates-Cooper, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Ressie was also preceded in death by two granddaughters, Alicia Cooper and Tracy Northcutt, and by two brothers and three sisters.

Her funeral will be at two o'clock Monday afternoon, November 24, 2008 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Rick Hyde officiating. Interment will follow in Shadowlawn cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: William Robert Cooper, II, Colburn Lee Cooper, Aaron and Evan Hollingshead, Justin Riley, and Michael Bane.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Larry Brashears, W. J. Brumley, A. J. Harrison, John Allan Funk, Don Elliott, Don Chenault, and the employees of Arbor Oaks Health Care Center.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Sunday afternoon from two until four o'clock.

Memorials may be made to Third Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.