Charlene B. Cooper

Charlene Beaupre Cooper, born on February 29, 1924 in St. Anne, Illinois, passed away peacefully at her home on January 2, 2019. Charlene was preceded in death by her husband John Clinton Cooper, her parents Victor and Corrine Beaupre, her son Richard Daniel Cooper, son-in-law James R. Jones, and 12 siblings as she was the 13th and last child-a leap year baby. She is survived by her loving children Patricia (Thomas) Patti, Priscilla Jones, Clinton (Michelle) Cooper, Paula (Patrick) Pulaski, 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren who will deeply mourn her loss. Charlene was born and raised on a farm in St. Anne, but after high school left for the big city of Chicago and worked as a secretary for Montgomery Ward. She met her husband, John, while he was on leave there from the U.S. Navy during WWII. They dated for 3 months until he was sent back to the Pacific. They corresponded until the war was over and were married upon his return, November 4, 1945. They shared 67 devoted years of marriage. The newlyweds arrived in Pensacola in 1945. From that time until her death, Charlene was a devoted member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She was a charter member since the mission church on Highway 29 where Monseigneur Stuardi was the first priest. After all her children were in school, Charlene went to work again. She was secretary at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and in the office of a doctor and a lawyer. From 1965 – 1979 she was secretary, bookkeeper and receptionist at St. Mary Catholic Church. She also did a stint as clerk at the Post Office. When her husband, John retired, they began to satisfy her itch for travel. They flew near and far with John piloting a small plane. They drove or motorcycled to every U. S. state, except Vermont, all the Canadian Provinces, and to her delight flew to England aboard the Concorde and visited Paris via the Chunnel beneath the English Channel. Her passions included theatre, music, dancing, and doting on her beautiful roses which literally stopped traffic. Charlene was the beating heart and matriarch of this family and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN. 38148. Pallbearers: George Oberto, Ryan Stanhope, Jeff Morris, Shaun Maynard, Britt Mead and Thomas Skube. Visitation will be at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL. Sunday, January 6, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Eugene Pathe, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 401 Van Pelt Lane, Pensacola, FL. On Monday, January 7 at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Pensacola Memorial Gardens. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH is in charge of arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Charlene B. Cooper

February 29, 1924 - January 2, 2019