Virginia Cooper

Ginger Cooper was born Virginia Janell Rizer on June 21, 1953 in Winter Haven, Florida. She was the daughter of the late Emmett Rizer and Frances (Ashley) Rizer. Ginger departed this earthly life on Monday, December 19, 2022 at the age of 69.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 43 years, Ralph Cooper. Ralph was the love of her life, and she missed him terribly every day of the last three years. We know she ran into his loving arms on December 19.

She is survived by her sister Judi DeVane of Winter Haven, FL (husband Rick, daughters Dani and Lauren). She is also survived by her daughter Leslie (husband David) Quarnaccio, son Nick Cooper, and her three grandchildren Rachel, Andy, and Scarlett Quarnaccio. If you had a conversation with Ginger during the last 17 years, you heard about her grandkids. She was unbelievably proud of them and loved them wholeheartedly. Her greatest joy in life was being a mother and grandmother.

She was born, raised, and educated in Winter Haven, Florida, graduating from Winter Haven High School in 1971. She soon moved to Houston where she started work at State Farm and met her husband, Ralph Cooper. Ralph and Ginger then moved to Corpus Christi where she lived from 1976-2021. They were active members of First Baptist Church Corpus Christi where they worshiped, volunteered, and made many lifelong friends.

Through volunteering at her children’s school, she decided to dedicate her professional life to education. Ginger graduated with a degree in elementary education and started a career at her neighborhood school, Club Estates Elementary, where she taught for over 20 years. She considered Club Estates her home away from home and her fellow Cubs family.

Ginger was not only a devoted mother and grandmother to her family, but poured out her love and kindness to hundreds of children during her life. She was a dedicated and loving teacher, served as a Sunday School teacher and Upward Basketball Coach at her church, an active PTA member and volunteer at her school , and proud swim mom volunteer. She was always there to cheer on her children, grandchildren, and students. Ginger showed up for people in both the big and small ways.

Ginger loved fiercely and wore her heart on her sleeve. In addition to her family and students, she loved her dogs, Paul McCartney, and the Spurs (the Duncan/Ginobili/Parker years) completely.

A memorial service to celebrate Ginger’s life will be held in the First Baptist Church Corpus Christi Chapel on Thursday, December 29 at 1:00.