Ruth Cooper

Ruth Ann (Cosner) Cooper, age 78, of Dryfork, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, Virginia. Born October 8, 1947, in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Porter W. Cosner and Juanita (Eye) Cosner.

Ruth was a 1965 graduate of Mountaineer High School in Davis, West Virginia. She earned a bachelor's degree from Glenville State College in 1969 and a master's degree from West Virginia University. She dedicated more than four decades to education, beginning her teaching career at Valley High School in Pine Grove, Wetzel County, from 1969 to 1975. She then joined Tucker County Schools, where she taught Family and Consumer Sciences and served as advisor to the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA, formerly Future Homemakers of America). Later in her career, she also taught English. Ruth retired from full-time teaching in 2011 but continued serving students as a substitute teacher for several additional years. She was deeply respected for her knowledge, patience, compassion, and genuine care for every student she taught.

Ruth found joy in the simple blessings of life. She loved vacationing with her family in Myrtle Beach, traveling with senior citizen groups, shopping, sewing, and cooking-always eager to share what she made with those she loved. Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and welcome. She especially enjoyed her fellowship with the WM's at church, where she spent cherished time making chocolate Easter eggs and baking homemade pies-traditions that reflected her generous spirit and love of service. Ruth will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother and grandmother, a dedicated educator, and a faithful servant of God. Her legacy lives on through the lives she shaped, the family she cherished, and the faith she lived.

Surviving are her loving family, who were the joy of her life: daughter, Stephanie Simmons (Jeremy) of Moorefield, WV; son, Steven H. Cooper, Jr. (Meghan) of Buckhannon, WV; grandchildren, Alyson Simmons, Grace Simmons, and Thomas Simmons of Moorefield, WV, and Logan Cooper of Buckhannon, WV; step-granddaughter, Michelle Riggleman Cowell (Dana) of Charles Town, WV; sisters, Nancy Hanshew (Ross) of Wasilla, Alaska, and Debbie Sharp of Parsons, WV; and her beloved fur babies, Cleo and Athena. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, as well as her treasured church family at Dryfork Assembly of God Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 46 years, Steven H. Cooper, Sr., who passed away February 26, 2021; her infant grandson, Jackson Porter Simmons, who passed away April 4, 2007; and her cherished dog, Rex.

Friends will be received on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 3 to 6 PM, at the Dryfork Assembly of God Church. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 11 AM in the church with Pastor Lynn Rohrbaugh officiating. A private interment will be held in the Buena Cemetery.

The Fredlock & Fenner Funeral Homes - Davis Chapel is honored to be serving the Cooper family.