Mary Helen Coop, 73, of Bryant, Arkansas, passed away on April 29, 2026.

She was born July 21, 1952, in Batesville, Arkansas, to the late Marvin Smith Sr. and Lillian (Hood) Smith.

Although born in Batesville, Mary grew up in Harrison, Arkansas, where her parents owned the Cresthaven Court. She spent many years helping with the family business. Like countless girls of her generation, Mary endured a serious case of beatlemania during her preteen years. She eventually recovered and broadened her musical tastes by the time she graduated from Harrison High School in 1970.

It was at HHS, as a proud member of the Drama Club, that Mary discovered her love for theater. In the summer of 1970, she participated in a study‑abroad program at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England, completing undergraduate coursework in music. She continued her education at Arkansas College—*which, according to her, would forever be ARKANSAS COLLAGE*. While there, she became a charter member of Alpha Xi Delta. After growing up with only a brother (perhaps the source of her grit and survival instincts), Mary delighted in finally gaining a few sisters.

She was also part of a trio known as "The Mary Club"—Mary Helen, Mary Lou, and Mary Jane. Anyone could join their adventures or misadventures, provided they temporarily added "Mary" to their name. Even Mary Steve (Coop), whom she married in 1973, reportedly participated in a few of their escapades. Mary graduated from Arkansas College in 1974.

In 1978, Mary gave birth to her first daughter Katie, and in 1980, the birth of Jessica completed the family.  That is until 2007, when granddaughter Chelsea came along. Mary's most cherished roles were as mother to Katie and Jess, and as Grams to Chelsea. As an educator and grandmother, one of her most thrilling moments of last year was watching Chelsea graduate with high honors from Bryant High School and move on to the University of Alabama.

Mary started her 27-year storied career in education as a paraprofessional in the Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) before moving to teach English at McClellan High School. She retired from Jacksonville High School after teaching there for 19 years. At JHS, Mary worked to enhance and expand the theater and competitive speech programs and was always searching for creative ways to fund the theater productions. Over the years, she took more than 60 students to New York City, giving them the chance to dream big and experience Broadway firsthand. Mary was an exceptional teacher, mentor, and role model. In 2006, she received the PCSSD Lester Excellence in Education Award for Language Arts.

Throughout her life, Mary faced challenges with courage, humor, and unwavering positivity. During treatment for breast cancer, she never missed a day of work. She focused on healing and hope—and with determination and grueling treatment, she remained cancer‑free for the rest of her life. Her irreplaceable presence lives on in her family and in the countless students whose lives she touched.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Katie (Trey) Williams and Jessica Coop; her granddaughter, Chelsea Jensen; and her brother, Marvin (Annette) Smith Jr.

A Memorial Service will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local animal shelter or humane society.