Deborah “Debbie” Anne Roach Cooper was called from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 31, 2026, in Monroe, LA, as she was resting in the loving hands of her family. Her faith in Christ led her to love and serve others endlessly throughout her life which greatly blessed all who knew her and especially her beloved family.

Debbie was born on November 1, 1951, in Nashville, TN, to The Reverend Doctor Dewey Roach and Margaret Parker Roach. Debbie’s father was a Baptist preacher which carried her and her older sister, Carole, many places growing up; the most exciting being the year spent in Edinburgh, Scotland. Debbie settled in Columbus, MS for her high school years and graduated from S. D. Lee High School and continued her education at the Mississippi University for Women where she graduated in Fashion, Textiles, and Merchandise.

Debbie met Robert, the love of her life, in high school in 1967. They were married by Debbie’s father on the grounds of her home in Columbus, MS, August 26, 1972. Debbie then moved to Alabama with Robert where she worked at a bank on Toomer’s Corner while he finished veterinary school at Auburn University.

After a year in Ft. Lauderdale, FL where Robert worked in a private veterinary clinic followed by 3 more years at Auburn for further veterinary studies for Robert, Debbie retuned to MS in 1979 when Robert accepted a position at Mississippi State’s veterinary school.

In 1982, Debbie began, “The greatest job I ever had.” This was how Debbie always described her role and mission as a mother. It was remarkable to witness and experience how she cherished her calling as a gift from God. She never let an opportunity pass to speak, show, or act in love towards her children, her children’s friends, her friends’ children, the children of her church, the less-fortunate and orphaned children in her community, countless Mississippi State University college students, and later in life, her four most precious grandchildren. All who knew her as Mom, Mama Coop, and Nana are forever blessed by being loved by her.

Debbie enjoyed serving her community through her time in the Junior Auxillary of Starkville, substitute teaching at her children’s school (to spend more time with them, of course!), and volunteering on the parent-teacher associations at multiple schools and the Mississippi Veterinary Wives Association. Debbie also served First Presbyterian Church through teaching Sunday School, serving as a Deacon, and presiding over the First Presbyterian Church Child Care Center Board.

After becoming empty-nesters and adding 3 dogs to the family (one for every child that moved out), Debbie continued to share her love with the Starkville area and beyond as she quickly obtained her Real Estate and Broker’s license. She loved people and genuinely served them through her work in real estate. She was dedicated to welcoming those new to Starkville and MSU and seeking to make them feel at home and to those saying good-bye to dear Starkvegas. Debbie further served her co-workers by her work on the Mississippi Real Estate Board. Before retiring from real estate, Debbie and her sister, Carole, were blessed to work together as agents.

Debbie and Robert established a little home away home in Monroe, LA, in 2019 due to their near perfect attendance for every dance recital, speech meet, choir and piano concert, and all the many, many sporting events for their grandchildren. The time in Monroe supporting, nurturing, spoiling, and laughing with their grandchildren was truly a delight but worshiping the Lord together was the most fulfilling of all. Debbie would often lift up the words of 3 John 1:4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children [and grandchildren] are walking in the truth.”

Debbie was greatly blessed to share 59 years of love with her high school sweetheart, Robert. In 2022, family and friends gathered in Orange Beach, FL to surprise the couple with a grand celebration of their 50th Anniversary of marriage and faithfulness to one another.

Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Margaret Roach and her son, Adam Cooper.

Debbie is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Robert Cooper; her children, Benjamin Cooper and Elizabeth Cooper Wagner (Jonathan); her sister Carole Roach Inzunza (Ricardo) and her children: Kim Cason (Rusty), Mark Gaston (Angie), and Alissandra Inzunza; her grandchildren: Judah Wagner (13), Kinde Wagner (11), Rowan Cooper (10), and Joshua Wagner (8).

A legacy of Debbie’s life and love will be remembered as we seek to love and serve all those God places in our lives. We will carry her love for us in our hearts forever.

A Celebration of Life for Mrs. Deborah Anne “Debbie” Cooper, 74, will be held at 2:00PM Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Starkville, MS, with Rev. Dr. Olin McBride officiating. Reception will follow the service at the First Presbyterian Church.

The family offers our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the attentiveness of her care team: Dr. Kyle Bruyninckx and the Bruyninckx Medical Clinic; Dr. Greg Sampognaro and team; and the St. Francis 6th Floor ICU doctors and nurses.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Palmer Home for Children of Columbus, MS, or to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society of Starkville, MS.