Heather Lane Cooper, 38, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 5, in Gunnison County. She was driving to the Denver airport to board a plane to Oklahoma to attend her 20th high school reunion. She was hit head on and died on impact at the crash site.
Visitation was held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 12, at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, Oklahoma. A celebration of Heather’s life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at University Heights Baptist Church, 323 S. Knoblock, followed by a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Stillwater.
Heather was born in Beaver, Oklahoma, April 2, 1987, the youngest of three daughters born to Page Provence and David L. Cooper. Her father pre-deceased her in 2000. Raised in Stillwater since she was an infant, she grew up in a loving family and attended Stillwater Public Schools. She graduated from OSU in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Since January, she was enrolled online with OSU to earn her master’s degree in education.
Recently, she spent most of her time in Crested Butte where her sister Jill and her children live. She loved playing co-ed softball in the summers there. In addition to being a wonderful aunt, she had several jobs in Crested Butte. She waitressed at McGills, worked at the bookstore and served in many roles at the local school. She was hired to teach eighth and ninth-grade language arts, which she considered a huge honor.
In the wake of her early death, her family and friends are heartbroken for losing the companionship of such a loving, beautiful soul. It is evident from the outpouring of messages that she meant a lot to many people.
If you have stories or pictures to share, please email them to MemoriesofHeatherCooper@gmail.com for the family and to honor Heather’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial in Heather’s honor to Hope4Nations.com or to Stillwater High School Volleyball (please mail donation checks to SHS Volleyball Booster Club Association P.O. Box 562, Stillwater, OK 74076).
Heather is predeceased by David L Cooper (2000); uncle, Paul David Provence (2019); grandfather, Carl N Provence (2024); grandmother Jewel Ann Cooper (2002).
She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Page Provence and Jim George of Stillwater, grandmother Grace Provence, sister Averi (Jerett) Blackmon, sister Jill Pitt, nieces and nephews Ty, Annie, Jay, Wiley and Sadie. Stepbrother Jim (Anna) George, their children Makayla, Kolby (Hailie), Kaylin (Lonnie) Sims, Ezra (Mia) Sell, Simon George. Stepbrother Tim (Cori) George and their children, Hunter, Ross and Revin. Aunt Jeanette Provence, cousins Kelsey (Austin) Kelly and their children Aria, Aurora, Karlisle and Avonlea; cousin Mitchell Provence. Aunt Jo Deane (Ed) Holleyfield and their children Jolea, Karla and Eddie. Aunt Leah (Sam) Banning. Uncle Butch (Bonnie); Jim, Janet and Dean George.
