Sarah Jo Cooper passed away peacefully on August 1, 2026, at the age of 83, following a courageous battle with vascular dementia. Sarah put her family at the center of everything she did and will be dearly missed.
She was the beloved mother of Julie Cushing (nee Cooper) and Benjamin Cooper, and the proud grandmother of Alyssa Cooper and Cole O'Brien. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Perry and Sarah Perry (nee McBride), and her sister, Nina Durgin.
Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Memphis State University. She touched countless lives over the years as a dedicated elementary school teacher and librarian, taking immense pride in her role as a mentor. Guided by her deep love for God, Sarah welcomed everyone she met with a warm smile and stood as a passionate advocate for children’s education.
Outside the classroom, Sarah loved everything related to home improvement and interior decorating. She could often be found thrifting furniture to restore or watching HGTV alongside her grandchildren. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is finally at peace.
Services: A celebration of Sarah's life will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 2pm at The Commons at Spencer Road Library in St. Peters, MO.
In Lieu of Flowers:
Please consider making a donation in Sarah’s memory to the organization Books for STL Kids, which provides children with books they can take home and keep.
