Betty was born December 28, 1939, to Eldred Wade Alexander and Etta Florene (Oliver) Alexander Bowman. She was raised in the Heavener-Poteau area and was a member of Double Branch Baptist Church, where she led music for the congregation for many years.
Betty worked for several years in the County Clerk’s office and later became an elected official serving as the Leflore County Court Clerk. Betty also enjoyed singing at other churches and events.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Joe Dean Cooper; her father, Wade Alexander, who passed away when she was a young teenager; her mother, Flo; her stepfather, Cecil Bowman; and her brother, Bill Alexander.
She is survived by her sister, Paula Folino of Arroyo Grande, CA; her sweet aunt, Fawneo, age 89, who plays golf twice a week with her beloved friends; Wayne Mayhan and family; brother-in-law, Ronnie Cooper, and his sons, Rodney, Ryan, and Randy, along with their wives and children; sister-in-law, Ann Cooper, and her son, Richard Cooper, and family.
She is also survived by her son, Kelly Dean Cooper and wife, Karla, of Poteau, OK. Their sons are Dustin and wife, Heather, of Muldrow, OK, and their children, McKinna and Landon Joe; and Kyle Dean and wife, Brittnie, of Spiro, OK, and their children, Kason and Kyah.
Her daughter, Amanda, and husband, Jordan Chrismer, and their children, Kamryn and Dean. Her daughter, Regina Lou, and husband, Rick McAlister, of Sulphur, OK.
Also survived by her granddaughters, Krystal Shalene and husband, James McMillion, of Sulphur, OK; Samie Shanel and fiancé, Calvin Hayes Jr., of North Carolina; and Taylor and husband, Casey Miller, and their child, Reese, of Ada, OK.
Memorial Service for Betty Lou Cooper will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Evans Chapel of Memories in Poteau, Oklahoma with Phil McGehee and Lavon Williams officiating. Service is under the direction of Evans & Miller Funeral Home of Poteau, Oklahoma.
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