Alice McNally Cooper

Alice Kathleen McNally Cooper, 95, passed away, Monday, November 25, 2024, peacefully at Windham House Nursing Home in Hattiesburg, MS, surrounded by the love of her family. 

Alice was born December 8, 1928, in Indianapolis, Indiana to William Thomas McNally and Kathryn George McNally. She was a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School and attended Hanover College where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She met and married John Olver Cooper, Sr, while he was serving in the U.S. Army. They resided in Noxubee County Mississippi most of their lives. Alice worked for Dr. Larry Morris and then became a long-time employee of Merchants and Farmers Bank (Bank First) and worked for NBC Bank of Brooksville. Alice was a member and past president of the Pilot Club of Macon. She received the Woman of the Year Award in 1991 by the Noxubee County Chamber of Commerce. Alice loved serving the Lord and sharing her musical talents. When she first moved to Noxubee County, she was a member of McLeod’s Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She later became a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Macon where she loved singing in the choir. She also served as their pianist and organist for many years. Alice moved to Hattiesburg, MS in 2013 to be closer to her children. While there she was a faithful member of the Oak Grove Church Choir where she sang until she was 92 years old. She also shared her musical talents with other choirs in the area. She is survived by three children. Sheila Bailey (Pete), of Eupora, MS., Kaycee Hairston (Lath), of Hattiesburg, MS. John Cooper, Jr (Kathryn), of Hattiesburg, MS.; seven grandchildren: Katie Abner (Max), Wil Bailey (Sarah), Jeff Hairston (Abby), Rob Hairston (Emily), John Oliver Cooper, III, Sarah Cooper, and Rebekah Cooper; four Great Grandchildren: Oliver Abner, Jack Hairston, Sam Hairston and Ruthie Hairston; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The celebration of Alice’s life will be held Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Macon First Church in Macon, MS. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m. followed by service at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Soule’s Chapel Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Soule’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 432. Brooksville, MS 39739, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Oak Grove Church Choir, 4915 Old Hwy 11, Hattiesburg, MS 39402 . . Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

The pallbearers will be Jeff Hairston, Rob Hairston, Justin Davison, John Oliver Cooper, Wil Bailey and Max Abner.