Rushia Mae Cooper, 98, of Orange, passed away on December 29, 2014, at her home in Orange.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 3, 2015, at First United Methodist Church in Orange with Reverend John Warren officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Oakdale Louisiana.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, January 2, 2015 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Born in Oakdale, Louisiana, on December 25, 1916, Rushia Mae Cooper was the daughter of Dr. George E. and Sarah Ellen Butchee. Rushia Mae was a graduate of the Class of 1933 at Oakdale High School in Oakdale, Louisiana. She attended college at Louisiana State Normal School, now known as Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and French and a qualified certificate in elementary education. Rushia taught school in Kinder, Louisiana for two years and at Oakdale High School for eleven years.
She was married to Davis (Jim) Cooper for 56 years and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Orange, Texas serving on numerous committees. Rushia Mae sang in the Chancel Choir for over 50 years and directed children’s choir for several years. She also served on the Board of Stewards. Rushia was a member of the Chamber Musician Organization for many years and served as a director on the Board of Directors of Community Concert Association. She was a member of Lutcher Theater, Sunset Country Club, and Delta Kappa Gama Teacher’s Organization.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews, including those by her side, Jennifer Cox Horak, Rebecca Cox Ezell and Ashley Rion and husband, Joe; great-great nieces and nephews, Hayden Davis Horak, Charlie Anne Horak, Weslyn McCoy Smalley, Dylan Brooke Rion and Tyler Grace Rion.
Serving as pallbearers will be Edward Cox, Robert Joseph Cochran, George Butchee, Joe Rion, Alan Sanders, Philip Marshall and Amy Erwin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 502 North 6th Street, Orange, Texas 77630.
Condolences
Verone Medley Travis
June 26, 2015
I am writing this for my mother, Doris Ford Medley, who grew up in Oakdale and who Rushia Mae taught. My mom and dad, Wayne Medley, stayed friends with Jimmy and Rushia Mae, even when they moved to Monroe, LA, and Jimmy and Rushia Mae were living in Orange. In fact, I think they visited Rushia Mae and Jimmy in Orange when I was a baby, and there may be some pictures somewhere of that visit. My mom, who is 90, last talked to Rushia Mae in November to let her know she had broken her hip. She tried to call last week to catch up and he number had been disconnected. So I looked online and sadly had to report the news that Rushia Mae had passed away. I know she loved Rushia Mae and is sad to loose another friend, as I know you are saddened to loose her. We pray for comfort and peace for your family.
Anonymous
January 2, 2015
Amazing Arboricola was purchased for the family of Rushia Mae Butchee Cooper.
Lori, Traci, And Richard Butchee, Jr.
January 1, 2015
Lori, Traci, and Richard Butchee, Jr. purchased the Divine Peace Bouquet for the family of Rushia Mae Butchee Cooper.