Nettie Jean Cooper, known lovingly as Nettie Jean, passed away on April 5, 2026, in Jackson, Tennessee, at the age of 88. She was born on July 11, 1937, in Henry, Tennessee, and lived a life marked by kindness, curiosity, faith, and a genuine love for others.

Nettie Jean carried herself with grace and warmth, and those who knew her will remember her as a woman who made every room brighter with her presence. She was a devoted Christian and a long time member of Lambuth Memorial United Methodist Church, and most recently a faithful member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where her steady spirit and friendly nature were a blessing to her church family.

In Nettie Jean's own words she always loved school and lifelong learning, valuing education and working diligently to achieve her goals. She graduated from Lambuth College with her bachelor's degree and later earned her master's degree from Memphis State University. Her commitment to learning reflected the same determination and care that she brought to every part of her life. She committed her life to being an elementary teacher for almost 40 years, where she shared her knowledge, patience, and encouragement with countless students. Her work as an educator left a lasting impression on those she taught, and she took pride in helping others grow and succeed.

Outside of her professional life, Nettie Jean was known for her many interests and talents. She was a Certified Master Gardener through the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) Extension. She experienced great joy in watching things grow—finding beauty in the smallest things in life. Her faith was steady and she cherished every moment spent in personal reflection and in the fellowship of Bible studies with others. She expressed her creativity for life through quilting, crocheting, and ceramics, and truly delighted in making things with her own hands.

Nettie Jean journaled often, preserving her thoughts and memories in a way that reflected her thoughtful and reflective nature. Her cursive handwriting flowed as beautifully on paper as the thoughts she so carefully shared. Travel was another great joy in Nettie Jean's life which she enjoyed doing with friends, making lasting memories. She was also a social butterfly, someone who enjoyed conversation, companionship, and being surrounded by people. Her friendly personality and easy smile made her a cherished friend to many, and she had a special gift for making others feel welcome and valued.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Brad Roberson (Cindy), James Roberson (Christy), and Mitchell Shane Cooper (Janet); brother, Michael Huron Johnson (Harriett); five adored grandchildren; two beloved great-grandchildren; one highly anticipated great-grandchild on the way; and several precious friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Roberson; parents, Elmer Huron Johnson and Alma Lorace Johnson; sister, Rebecca Sue Jernigan and brother James Douglass Johnson.

A FUNERAL SERVICE to honor Nettie Jean's life will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the chapel of Arrington Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The burial will follow at Humbles Cemetery in Huntingdon, TN.

Nettie Jean Cooper will be remembered for her faith, her love of teaching, her creative spirit, and her deep appreciation for her family and life's simple pleasures. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, dedication, and joy that will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her life was a beautiful example of devotion to family, service to others, and a wholehearted embrace of the world around her.