Gwendolyn Ruth Cooper

Gwendolyn Ruth Cooper, 82, of Salem, Arkansas, passed away Saturday, December 23, 2017, at Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Arkansas. 

She was born in Port Huron, Michigan on March 5, 1935, daughter of the late Lillian Ann (Lubahn) and Christie Waltenburg. Gwen spent her life as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was united in marriage to Robert Joseph Cooper on June 16, 1982 in Imperial Beach, California. She was a member of the Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas. During her working years, she worked at the school in her community as a teacher’s aide for deaf children and on yard duty. After working at the school, she later worked as a statistical clerk with the police department. Gwen was also a Girl Scout Leader, involved with Cub Scouts, Football and Band Booster, past PTA President, Who’s Who of American Women and known as Wonder Woman. Gwen was always doing her part for her community. She started a Youth Center and was always volunteering her time to the young people and kids of the community.

Gwen is survived by her children, Robert Raymond Surber Jr and wife Rhonda of Las Vegas, Nevada, Michael Clifford Surber and wife Rosa of South San Diego, California, Linda Marie Casey and husband Ray of Salem, Arkansas, Susan Montejano and husband Keith of Indio, California and Sharon Shelton and husband Jerry of Salem, Arkansas; adopted in the heart daughter, Cindy Ann Morse and husband Steve of Chula Vista, California; 20 grandchildren, Aaron Surber, Carly Surber, Michelle Schrader and husband Stephen, Brian Surber, Phillip Snoddy III, Brandon Snoddy, Michael Surber, Scott Surber, Kellie Casey-McCullough, Kathy Smith and husband Jacob, Tyler Casey, Gary Rudisill, Nicole Canizalez, Victoria Rudisill, David Armstead, Anthony Armstead, Katrina McNeace, Shane McNeace, Mona McNeace, Kapoleon McNeace; 9 great grandchildren and one sister, Carol Delong of Fort Gratiot, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lillian and Christie Waltenburg; great grandchild, James Austin McCullough and brothers, Clifford Waltenburg, Frederick Waltenburg, Thomas Waltenburg and Charles Waltenburg.

Pallbearers include: Josh Smithee, Zachary Smith, Billy DeFoe, Jacob Smith, Greg Jackson, Jason Miller and Leroy Crowl

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 27, 2017 beginning at 2:00 PM with Bro. John Hodges officiating at Salem First Baptist Church in Salem, Arkansas. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 26, 2017 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Doty Family Funeral Service Chapel in Salem, Arkansas. Interment will follow the service at Salem Cemetery in Salem, Arkansas. 

Arrangements entrusted to Doty Family Funeral Service of Salem, Arkansas.