She was a native of DeRidder and had been a resident of Sulphur for the last four years, moving from Lake Charles. Barbara taught for many years at College Oaks Elementary School before her retirement. She was a follower of Christ and a member of Houston River Baptist Church in Sulphur. Her seven grandchildren were the love of her life.
Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Doug Cooley of Sulphur; her children, Brett A. Cooley and wife, Missy of Lake Charles and Melissa D. Cooley Robertson and husband, Shane of Sulphur; and her grandchildren, Mackenzie Alise Cooley, Hailey Noelle Cooley, Kelsie Faith Cooley, Landon Dane Cooley, Megan Claire Robertson, Evan Jacob Robertson, and Leah Kate Xiaoting Robertson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Lydia Lewis; and siblings, Thomas D. Lewis and Charlotte Lewis Leach.
Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 29, in Houston River Baptist Church. The Rev. Lonnie Gothrup will officiate. Burial will be in Lewis Cemetery in DeRidder under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held in the church from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday, all in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Houston River Baptist Church Building Fund. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, 4th floor for their excellent care of Barbara. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
