Linda Joyce Dickson Cooper
Linda Joyce Dickson Cooper, 76, of Beaumont, died Thursday, June 29, 2023. She was born on February 2, 1947, to Joyce Avon Garrett Dickson and Leonard Edward Dickson, in Beaumont.
Linda traveled the world with Eloise Milam and the Melody Maids in the 1960’s, singing at military bases for our nation’s soldiers. Her husband, Jack, saw Linda at the officer’s club on one trip and decided that he just had to meet here. Jack set his eyes on his future, and he wouldn’t give up until he could meet her. It took three shows, three tries, and he was finally granted a conversation…only with her baby sister as a chaperone. Linda married Jack Cooper on June 3, 1969.
After Linda and Jack married, she taught middle school history in Houston and later was the children’s librarian at Miller Library and St. Anne Catholic School in Beaumont.
After getting her master’s in library science, Linda later became a local celebrity with Beaumont school children, known lovingly as the Eagle Librarian. Everyone knew that when you entered her library that your first job was to find Eagle the Regal who was hiding somewhere in the library. It was a great way for students and adults to be focused and ready to listen and learn! She had a way of bringing books to life as she visited classrooms around the district, dramatically telling stories – always in elaborate costumes that her mother hand made for her. When she arrived at a school, a buzz would arise as students shared with one another…Mrs. Cooper is here! They knew they were in for an imaginary trip to an enchanted land. She started each year with the story of Helen Keller and the trials and tribulations that she overcame. She gave Braille cards to every child so they could experience what Helen Keller experienced!
After retiring, Linda and Jack toured the world checking off one trip after another on their bucket list making new friends, reconnecting with lifelong friends, and making beautiful memories to tell their family!
Linda’s sweet disposition and love for all endeared her to everyone she met.
When daughter Caroline asked Linda what she hoped others had learned from her, she replied, “to love.” And what an example she gave us!
She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Joyce Dickson and husband, Jack Cooper.
Survivors include her sister, Becky Mason; daughter, Caroline and her husband, Wade Adair, and son, Kevin Cooper; grandchildren, Kristin Adair, Robert Adair III, and twins, Maisyn and Madelyn Adair; great-grandchildren, Graham Adair, Ozzie Adair, Clay Adair, Belle Winslet Adair, and Kamilla Marquez; and niece and nephew, Chad Mason and Kristin Mason Lenoir.
The family would like to thank Montebello for sending them an angel in Nekisha Jones who started as a caregiver and ended as another daughter. Thank you to Pulse Home care for always being available and Gentiva Hospice for guiding her and the family through the final stages.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 South Loop East, Houston, Texas 77087. www.alz.org.
Thank you for everyone who loved our mom. Thank you for everyone who was able to experience HER love and laughter. She truly was a rare gem that will always be treasured.
Her father has their house in heaven, her mother started the cooking, her brother-in-law has been tweaking the place, and her husband has a Busch beer sitting back ready for a game. They are ready for her, and she has found some peace (as long as she doesn’t have to cook).
If you are lucky, you might just spot Regal the Eagle hiding in a location of Linda’s choice just to remind you that she is thinking of you.
A gathering of Mrs. Cooper’s family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m. with her funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, and serving as pallbearers will be Wade Adair, Chad Mason, Kevin Cooper, Brad Mason, and Sandy Lenoir.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- July 2, 2023
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- July 2, 2023
- 2:00 pm
Interment
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
Caroline, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mother was truly a special lady and I feel honored to have known her. I was blessed to have felt the love she exuded. I hope that I can show others that kind of love. Just seeing her with the kids as she told her beautiful stories made the day more positive. Thinking of you and your family though this difficult time but knowing Linda is showering you, and all who knew her, with fabulous memories and love from above.
Linda was a special person full of love and enthusiasm for books and people. She always remembered me which is amazing in this busy world.
God bless her and her family!! Such a joyful person to know!!
Linda is a blessing to all who knew her. God rest her soul and be with her sweet family.
Prayers for your family. Her smile and gentle nature were so uplifting. I remember her coming through the doors of the school and it was as if a breath of fresh air came in. She was a wonderful lady.
Caroline am very sorry for your loss. As a teacher I loved going to hear her as Eagle Librarian. She always treated my SpEd kids so special. My students were nonverbal in wheelchairs and she enjoyed them as much as we enjoyed her. Prayers for your family.
My condolences to you ,Ms.Adair and your Family
My condolences to the family. Linda was a wonderful woman who worked very hard to bring literature to so many kids in Beaumont. My mom taught at St. Anne’s with her and they often had lunch together. I also loved when she came to the school where I taught, Linda always asked about her. Always so kind, loving, and graceful.
Surely you will be missed. I will always remember your love and kindness for people and most of all for the children. Rest in Peace.
Thank for all the souls you touched in this life time. Prayers for the family.
Corrincee Lester Franklin
Our beautiful Eagle Librarian will be missed. She was a rare jewel. Prayers of comfort to her family. She’s at peace with loved ones.
Caroline,
Mrs. Cooper was an amazing woman. Not only do I remember her as a little girl sitting on the floor in elementary listening to the wonder stories that she told, but also as an educator as I grew older. Mrs. Cooper always encouraged me to go the extra mile. She will be missed, however the memories will live on forever.
Mrs Cooper was a favorite when I taught PreK. A wonderful educator and fostered the love of reading in all who listened to her wonderful storytelling. Prayers for her loved ones. Thanks you, Mrs Cooper, for showing me the art reading to children.
She is at peace. Laughing and singing just as you remember. She was well loved and will always be remembered.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda and Jack were such a wonderful couple. They complemented each other every day. I meet her through activities with Jack at church and Knights of Columbus. She always had a smile and such a sweet kind voice. We were privileged to travel with them on a trip to the Holy Land in 2014. We had such a great time with our group. I loved hearing about their wonderful trips through Linda. Especially the trip to Egypt. We were privileged to share their 50th Anniversary with them and could just see their love for one another. We will miss your sweet smile and kind words.
Glen and Patrice Rabalais
What a sweet, caring person. There wasn’t a child she couldn’t calm or make feel loved. She was a true jewel.
Linda and Jack were a perfect couple, full of love and always filled with joy. He was truly a servant at St. Jude’s Church and with the Knights of Columbus. Linda was supportive in Jack’s service.
Linda was loved, as a person and as an Eagle Librarian in a role of teaching young students. She was proud to be in that role.
Linda traveled many times with Jack, fulfilling their dream.
May Caroline and Kevin be comforted by our prayers and by the love expressed by many.
Caroline and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. The loss of your Mother is one of the hardest ones you will endure in life. I know how hard the loss of mine has been . She sounds like she was an incredible lovely lady. Hold you memories of her close and she will always be with you.
Deborah Walker
As a teacher, I always enjoyed it when Miss Cooper came to school as the Eagle Librarian. The children always enjoyed their time with her and learned many new things. I have missed not seeing her on campuses as I am still teaching. She is greatly missed. Prayers lifted to her family.
To Becky and the family,
Linda was such a gift to all the children she touched for many years with her Eagle Library program. I always looked forward to seeing her and the way she kept the students attention. I know she will be greatly missed by her family.
Dionne Fontenot
Linda, Becky,Mark and I grew up as cousins. Always got to see them when my family would travel to Texas on vacation. I remember so many fun times in Beaumont and Galveston. You are a special lady, and will be missed.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing lady! She touched the hearts, minds and souls of those she encountered. I loved the talks we had when she visited our school. She and I loved talking travels. What an amazing surprise we had on one beautiful trip to the Baltic area. She and Jack were on the same elevator on the cruise ship! We both screamed in delight when we realized we were on the same trip! She had a gift for teaching and loving life. We are all blessed that our paths crossed. Much love to her family. She will be truly missed.
A true lady . Always had a smile on her face. I know that her family will miss her.
Mrs Cooper was my librarian at st Anne’s. I always liked her. She was so nice. I’m sorry that she passed.