Judith Carolyn Thompson Cooper's Obituary
With profound grief in our hearts, her family mourns the passing of our beloved mother, Judith Carolyn Thompson Cooper, who passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 87.
A woman of extraordinary beauty, strength, grace, and resilience, she lived a life full of love and family. She was born on October 29, 1938 in Paducah, Kentucky, to Evelyn and Miles Thompson, and was a devoted eldest daughter. She spent her early life living in Jackson, TN before moving to Memphis to raise her dear children, Laurie Cooper Kay (David) and William Cooper. She served the Memphis community for 36 years as a devoted employee of First United Methodist Church, which became a cherished church home where she shared many memories with friends and family.
A proud and loving grandmother who was the beloved “Bobber” to Elizabeth (Jonathan) and Lillian (Bandar), she loved spending time with them. Her great-grandchildren Harper, Zayn, Eloise, and her namesake Jude brought her so much joy.
Her family was dear to her, and she leaves behind her siblings Daniel Thompson (Betty), Sharron Barrett (the late Jim), and Pamela Bell (Mike). Judy loved chocolate, ice cream, reading, gardening, encouraging others to vote, Wheel of Fortune, good music, flowers, cooking delicious meals for her family, and cheering on Memphis Tiger Basketball. She will be greatly missed by her family, including her nieces and nephews, and friends.
A celebration of Judy’s life will take place on Saturday, June 20 at 1 PM at Memphis First United Methodist Church, 204 N. 2nd Street, Memphis, TN.
If you would like to honor her memory, the family asks that you share a book with a loved one or plant a flower in your garden. If you choose to send flowers to for the service, those can be delivered to the church between 11AM- Noon on Saturday, June 20.
“By making the world more beautiful, we leave behind a part of ourselves that will live on forever.”- Miss Rumphius, a book she loved to read with her grandchildren.
What’s your fondest memory of Judith?
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