Melva Cooper

Melva Sue Cooper, age 91, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Baptist Medical Center in Arkadelphia.  She was born January 6, 1934, in Marmaduke, the daughter of the late Jesse Ottie and Matty Lee Smith Wright.  

Melva was employed with her husband at the John Deere Implement Company for many years.  She was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church of Arkadelphia where she held bible studies in her home for the youth members of the church.  Melva enjoyed painting, basket weaving and being a den mother for the local Cub Scout groups.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lorin Willie Cooper, one sister, Frieda Marcella Yaeger, two brothers, Verlon Gene Wright and Charles Dewayne Wright, one son in law, Jimmy Wright and one daughter in law, Joel Vaughn Cooper. 

Survivors are two sons, Jesse James Cooper and Lorin Wayne Cooper both of Arkadelphia, two daughters, Cathy Lynn (Cooper) Wright of Arkadelphia, and Shaila Evonne Lisko (Stephen) of Slovak, AR, one brother, Maurice Lavon Wright (Donna) of Davidson, MI, ten grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. 

A memorial service was held Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at Second Baptist Church with Pastor Louie Heard and Pastor Stan Parris officiating.  

Interment was in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens. 

Memorials may be made to Second Baptist Church, 815 S 11th St, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. 

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.  Visit http://www.welchfh.net to sign the guest book.