Marian Wilkerson Cooper

Beloved high school science teacher, Marian Frances Wilkerson Cooper, of Brinkley, Ark., passed away September 13, at the age of 99. Mrs. Cooper taught biology and chemistry to generations of students in a teaching career that spanned 35 years. Known for her kindness and ability to make learning fun, her students invariably referred to her as their favorite teacher. Marian was born in Cotton Plant, Ark., on January 15, 1923, the first of three daughters born to Roger and Lillian Wilkerson. She and her sisters grew up helping at the family store and John Deere implement dealer, The Leader Company. Graduating from Cotton Plant High in 1940 as valedictorian, she went on to graduate from Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway. There, she was president of her leadership organization, a member of the prestigious national scholarship organization Alpha Chi and a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Her aviation class consisted of 49 men and Marian. At 17, she defied convention and earned her pilot's license, in a time when few women flew planes. Aviation also led to meeting her future husband, Harold, when he landed his plane in the pasture behind her home. At Brinkley High School, her students were required to learn the periodic table, name the bones of the body from "Shadrach," an actual human skeleton, put together collections of insects, and to research their own family trees. Students knew that, at any time, they could be gently called on to recite the scientific name of an animal, the chemical name for table salt, or the correct spelling of a word. Retiring in 1984, Marian continued to be an active member of her community and was honored as Brinkley Citizen of the Year. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and thousands of former students. Guestbook/video at www.bobnealandsons.com.