Emma Jean Southard Cooper went to be with her Lord and Savior April 26, 2023 at the age of 79 at Pioneer Nursing and Rehab Center in Melbourne, Arkansas. Her boys were close by and she was surrounded by the wonderful staff of Pioneer. She was born on Jan 22, 1944 at Glencoe, AR to Roby Southard and Launita Estes Southard.

She graduated from Melbourne High School where she was a superb student and athlete. She once scored over 50 points in a basketball game. She attended Harding College. She worked and retired from the Arkansas Department of Human Services serving 4 counties as the children and family services social worker. She was named the DHS outstanding employee of the year (1988), preceding her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, which forced her into retirement at an early age.

Emma Jean was a loving, dedicated, compassionate friend, Christian, wife, and mother to her 3 sons. She was an amazing role model for many in the Melbourne community. Emma taught bible classes at her home church (Melbourne Church of Christ) and was a key figure in one of the most influential programs in the Melbourne's history – Lads to Leaders and Leaderettes. Her pupils have become highly successful and positively influenced others across Arkansas and the United States. She was also known for her beautiful singing voice which was very complimentary to our acapella congregational hymns. It was not uncommon for her to be asked to sing at various funeral events in this area.

Emma Jean was loved and cherished by her entire family and many friends, including a slew of nephews and nieces who still refer to her as "Aunt Emma".

With all the suffering and misery caused by her disease, she kept her faith in God till the very end and no one ever heard her complain about her 39 years of suffering. In fact no one ever really heard her complain about anything.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her sons and families: Jim Cooper (Lisa) of Melbourne, Robert Cooper of Melbourne, Joe Cooper (Holly) of Melbourne. Nine grandchildren: Abby Cooper Everett (Clint), Samuel Bennett Cooper, Maggie Jo Cooper Cannon (Lance), Emma Marie Cooper Caraway (Kohl), Abel Halbrook Cooper, Adam Leslie Cooper, Bennie Robert Cooper (Antonija), Roby Hill Cooper, Halle Jo Cooper.

She is also survived by her sisters: Anita Southard of Little Rock, Barbara Monroe (David) of Olive Branch, and Brenda Hargis (Bobby) of Heber Springs.

4 great grandchildren: Audrey Faye Everett, Whitlee Webb Everett, Carter James Cannon, Callen Lawrence Cannon, and a host of nieces and nephews, family, and friends.

Graveside services will be at the Melbourne Mill Creek Cemetery in Melbourne at 2PM Friday April 28, 2023

The family requests no flowers. In Lieu of: donations should be made (in her name) to the Children's Home, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, Arkansas 72450. childrenshomes.org.