Emily Ann Cooper-Gibson

Following a lengthy illness resulting from a car wreck in 1998, Dr. Emily Ann Cooper-Gibson, daughter of the late Hazel (Rogers) Cooper and Cornelius Bolen (CB) Cooper of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, died quietly in her sleep early on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at her home in Marshall, Texas. Dr. Cooper-Gibson was born in 1935 in Memphis, Tenn., was educated in the public schools of Arkadelphia, Ark., received her undergraduate degree in music from Henderson State Teacher's College (now Henderson State University) in that city, her Master and Doctor degrees in music from the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, N.Y., and a certificate of study from Andre Marchal in Paris, France. Among her teachers were Lois Smith, Robert Ellis, David Craighead, and Andre Marchal. Dr. Cooper-Gibson, a pipe-organ recitalist, church musician, and teacher from the late-1950s until the 1998 car accident ended her career, played recitals extensively throughout Europe and the U.S., taught privately and at the college and university levels, and played the organ and conducted choirs in church services in Arkansas, Texas, Minnesota, New York, Maryland, and Virginia. Honors and awards recognizing her musical and teaching talents, skills, and contributions are numerous and varied, including the Fulbright Grant for a year of study in Paris, France; the Performer's Certificate in organ playing from the Eastman School of Music; 1st Prize in the American Guild of Organists national competition in organ playing; being named Teacher of the Year by the students at Rush-Henrietta High School, Henrietta, NY, while working as a part-time piano accompanist of the school's music program; and receiving the Distinguished Alumna Award from Henderson State University. Dr. Cooper-Gibson is survived by Gerald Gibson, her husband of 50 years. Contributions may be made in her memory to Group Living, Inc. (Box 159, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71923) or the Robert Ellis Music Enrichment Endowment (c/o HSU Foundation, Box 7550, Arkadelphia, Ark. 71999).