Juanita S. Cooper of Lancaster, Texas passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025.

Juanita was born on September 9, 1939, in Dallas, Texas to Ruby Louise Davis and Arnold B. Smith.

Juanita had endless love for her four children Mac, Robert, Donna and Arnold. When asked about the best part of her life she would always say "raising her kids". She worked very hard as a single mother, usually two at a time to provide for her kids and never complained while doing so. She enjoyed living close to her brother and some extended family most of her adult life….she was very family oriented. The grandbabies kept her young and they always knew how to make her smile.

She loved the outdoors and the beauty of nature that surrounded her, she had a green thumb. She loved her pets like they were kids, whether they be cats or dogs. She enjoyed plants, butterflies, and watching the birds. In her later days, even when she wasn't feeling her best, you would still find her sitting by the window and watching all the outdoor activities. Whether it was the kids playing or Robert's infamous July 4th firework show. She never missed the fireworks, she loved the beautiful colors, as they lit up the sky and you could see the light in her eyes.

She loved playing softball in her adult years; she won many awards playing pool and bowling. She was the luckiest of poker players but was a force to be reckoned with in a game of Scrabble. She was one smart walking dictionary.

She was known for ALL her keepsakes and memorabilia of her life and her kids. Let us not forget to mention her infamous elephant collection.

Her smile would light up a room, not one person went ungreeted, she loved everyone and everyone loved her, her heart was big, and it was full of joy and love for all.

Juanita is survived by her sister Flora Susan (Smith) Bailey. Three of her four children, Robert James Ashley, Donna Cecille (Cooper) David and her spouse Charley David, Arnold Benjamin Cooper and her unofficially adopted kids, Pamela Cullum, Derek Cooper and the infamous Lewis boys of Martin St.
Grandchildren: Erika Hopper, Melinda Ashley, Lyndi (Ashley) and Matt McCullum, Logan Ashley, William McDonald and his partner, Amber Diggs. Dylan and Raelyn David, Sam David, Joshua David, Faith David, Lyla Cullum, Tate Cooper, Morgan Cooper, CJ and Cash Cooper. Great-Grandkids: Maddie and Jake Hoppers, Peighton Cole, Parker and Tyson Webb, Maverick McCullum, Stetson David.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents (Ruby Louise Davis and Arnold B. Smith, brother Alvin Boyd Smith, son Hugh Mac Ashley Jr. and daughter n'law Lisa Ashley.

A celebration of Juanita's life will be at 11:00am on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Cowboy Church of Ellis County.