Katherine Jane Cooper Anthony

Katherine Jane Cooper Anthony was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, on December 19, 1934, and died in Mercy Hospital, Hot Springs, on May 6, 2013. Many Hot Springs residents may recall Kindercoop kindergarten, operated by Katherine's mother, Eugenia, at the Coopers' family home on Prospect Avenue. Katherine Cooper was a member of the Hot Springs High School Class of 1952 and was active there in chorus and as a cheerleader. She graduated in 1956 from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she was a member of Tri Delta sorority. She continued her education at the University of Illinois, obtaining a M.Ed. Katherine returned to Hot Springs as director of physical education at Hot Springs High School. Later she taught at the University of Oklahoma, Norman, as an assistant professor of physical education. Katherine married Jimmy N. Anthony in 1960 and moved to Bearden, Arkansas, where they raised their family. She was an active member of Bearden Methodist Church. She participated in many civic affairs of South Central Arkansas, most notably as a board member of Ouachita County Hospital and in the Bearden public school system. In 2005 Katherine helped to fund the development of a new Mercy child advocacy center in Hot Springs, which she named the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center in honor of her mother and the Anthony family. She was also an enthusiastic supporter of the Garland County Historical Society. She was predeceased by her parents, Eugenia Towell and Lewis D. Cooper Jr. of Hot Springs; her husband, James N. "Jimmy" Anthony of Bearden, Arkansas, and her two daughters, Virginia "Ginny" Seba (1968-2003) and Andrea K. Ledbetter (1963-2008) of Bearden. She is survived by three brothers: Hiram W. Cooper (Susan) and Thomas Cooper of Hot Springs and Lewis D. Cooper of Conway, Arkansas. Other survivors are grandchildren Brooklyn Ledbetter Tanner and Ian James Seba and a great-granddaughter, Andrea Belle Tanner. The family wishes to thank the nurses and doctors of Mercy Hospital and the staff members and caregivers of West Shores senior living community. The family especially thanks Kathy Taylor, Dr. Gregory Whorton, and Katherine's many loyal and loving friends. A graveside service is planned at Bethel Cemetery near the Hopeville community and Bearden, Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. There will be no visitation, and in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center, 216 McAuley Court, Hot Springs, Ark. 71913, or Garland County Historical Society, P.O. Box 20129, Hot Springs, Ark. 71903. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.com.