Ann Robinson Cooper

Ann Robinson Cooper died on November 11, 2026. She was born on February 21, 1936 in Magnolia, AR to Charles Ulric and Virgene Brill Robinson. Later she gained a stepmother who was Dorothy Jeter Robinson.

Ann grew up in LR, attending Forest Park, Pulaski Heights, and Central High Schools. She studied one year at Randolph Macon Woman's College in Virginia, then transferred to the U of A in Fayetteville. Ann was president of Chi Omega Sorority her senior year and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1957. On June 29, she married John William "Bill" Cooper, moved to Ft Smith and began her teaching career at Ramsey Jr. High. In 1963 the couple moved to LR with their one year old daughter, Susan. Bill became a partner with his uncle in the Allis-Cooper Food Brokerage Co. Ann resumed teaching at Forest Heights Jr. High. She retired years later as English Department Chair at Parkview High School. She joined the Master Gardeners, the Wildflowers Garden Club, and the Happiness Singers, and continued to sing in the church choir. Ann was a JLLR sustainer, a member of PVCC, Chi O Alum Club, Cancer Center Auxiliary, and the Audubon Society.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 2000. She is survived by her daughter Susan and son-in-law Bob Whisnant and their three children: Brent (Alyssa), John (Jillian), Page and great-grandchildren: Cooper, Emmie Robert, and Will Whisnant. Her brother, Bill Robinson and wife, Harriet also survive. 

We want to thank the wonderful caregivers who became family: Lil Russell, Tamra Gentry, Jackie Jones, Ranisha Peebles, Ashley Locke, Charjustice Williams, and Summerskye Gragg. They made her feel loved and blessed during her final years.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Thursday, November 19 at 1:00 pm with burial in the Columbarium.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church (1000 N. Mississippi Ave., LR) or the 20th Century Club Lodge (4011 Maryland Ave., LR).