Frances Whitson-Cooper Kent

Graveside services for Frances Whitson Cooper Kent, 88, of Bullard, will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Rose Hill Cemetery with Dr. Darryle Dunks officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mrs. Kent passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at Harmony House in Tyler, where she had resided since February 2013. She was born January 20, 1926, at her grandmother’s Crim Hotel in Henderson to Frank and Vera Crim Whitson. At an early age her family moved to Tyler. She attended Tyler public schools, graduating from Tyler High School at mid-term, January 1943. She was a member of the Blue Brigade serving as a standard bearer. Frances attended Federal Institute Business School and would have graduated from the University of Texas in Austin if she could have passed swimming. She was employed at the Cotton Belt Railroad, Cooper-Hopkins Insurance, and retired from Cooper Industries. She was also co-owner with her first husband, O. R. (Dick) Cooper, Jr., of Rose Bowl Lanes in Tyler. At her 60th high school class reunion, she renewed her friendship with Robert (Bobby) Kent. Having lost her husband in 2002 and Bobby losing his wife in 2003, a teen-age, parlor-sitting, romance was rekindled and they were married January 7, 2006. Frances was a member of First Christian Church of Tyler but after her marriage to Bobby they attended Mt. Selman Baptist Church where Bobby was a member. Frances was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Joseph Whitson; daughter, Nancy Kay (Katie) Holt; and her first husband, O. R. (Dick) Cooper. She is survived by her loving family including husband, Robert (Bobby) Kent; sons Mark and Cash Cooper; granddaughters Frances Cooper, Courtney Standifer, Christie Standifer, Shannon Mercer and husband Danny; great-granddaughter Kelsey Standifer; and great-grandson Kelly Mercer. Bob would like to express his appreciation to Carol Truskosky and her staff at Harmony House, where Frances was residing at the time of her death. He would also like to thank Heart to Heart Hospice for their advice and care. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 –8:00 PM on Friday, October 10, 2014, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler.

Frances Whitson-Cooper Kent

January 20, 1926 - October 8, 2014