Gay Cooper Lindner

Gay Cooper Lindner, 83, of The Woodlands, passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on May 24, 2025. She was born in Walters, Louisiana, on July 12, 1941, to parents Gole and Louise Cooper. Gay enjoyed a happy childhood as the youngest of four children and was lovingly rumored to be spoiled by her parents and a bit mischievous!

Music was deeply important to Gay throughout her life. Her exceptional piano skills made her a valued accompanist at her church for many years. She also mastered the trombone, proudly being the only girl trombonist at the Mississippi State Band camp when she was just 15 years old.

Gay attended Louisiana Tech, graduating in 1963 with a B.S. in Business Education and English. She began working at Texas U.S. Chemical in Port Neches, where she fortuitously met her future husband, Derle. After a brief courtship, they married on Valentine's Day 1964, beginning a beautiful love story that would last 61 years. They soon welcomed their son, John Cooper Lindner, on April 5, 1966. Gay cherished her role as a stay-at-home mother and devoted herself to raising their only child.

As John grew older, Gay began a new career in 1975 as a teacher at Port Neches Groves High School, where she taught for 19 years and was beloved by her students and fellow teachers. In 1994, Gay and Derle relocated to Sugar Land to be closer to their son and his new family. She taught for an additional three years at Elkins High School before retiring in 1998.

In 2000 Derle and Gay moved to The Woodlands community of Windsor Hills and spent the next 25 years surrounded by loving friends and neighbors. They found a second home at The Woodlands Methodist Church where Gay served the Friendship Class as a rotating teacher and class pianist. She and Derle seldom missed a Sunday.

Gay was a beautiful spirit with a sparkling personality. Her kindness, care, and talent shone through in everything she did, truly embodying what it means to be a Christian lady. With unwavering faith in Jesus, she didn't just talk about her beliefs - she lived them daily through her actions and love for others.

Gay was preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers Leonard and Harold Cooper, Brother-in-Law Albert Wurster, nephew Damon Cooper and her beloved son John, whose memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew him.

She is survived by her husband Derle, Granddaughter Madison Lindner Knocke (Cole), Grandson Reed Lindner, Daughter-in-Law Sara Lindner (Nelson), Sister Cherie Wurster, Niece Danielle Wurster, Cousins Henry and Kathryn Lindner, Sister-in-Law Bren Cooper, Nephews Wayne (Carlotta), Dade (Dana) and Erik (Rachel) Cooper and many other friends and family.

A celebration of Gay’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on June 26, 2025 in the Robb Chapel at the Woodlands Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, Tx 77386 with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Gay’s memory to The Woodlands Methodist Church,

Gay, I love you more than yesterday, but less than tomorrow – your loving husband Derle.