Beverly McKnight Cooper

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Beverly McKnight Cooper. She died unexpectedly after a period of illness in the evening of December 20th, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona.

Bev was born on October 13th, 1941, in Provo, Utah, where she spent most of her childhood and teenage years. Her parents were H Neil McKnight and Utahna Gledhill McKnight. She was the oldest of five children: Jean McKnight, Ralph McKnight, Harrison McKnight, and Bill McKnight. Showing her characteristic resolve early in life, Bev pushed herself to overcome shyness in order to embrace all the things she wanted to do in her youth. She found joy and success twirling a baton in school marching bands, writing for school newspapers, chairing college election committees, giving comedic readings at various assemblies, and enjoying the mountains of Utah. And, with self-deprecating humor, she spoke of her attempts at other things like piano lessons and singing.

She received a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in 1964 and a Master’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations from Oregon State University in 1967. It was in Oregon that she met Larry Cooper, whom she married in the Los Angeles Temple on September 9th, 1965. Each was an excellent complement for the other’s personality. Whether they had been apart for just a day of work or for a longer trip, they were usually observed to happily reunite and sit together to discuss their days and other events, laugh, and generally enjoy each other’s company. They set a realistic standard as a couple that loves and admires one another, resolves problems and differences together, and supports the other through personal trials. Bev and Larry were in their 60th year of marriage when she passed.

Bev and Larry lived for many years in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and Fairfax, Virginia, and had five children together: Scott Cooper, Greg Cooper, Mark Cooper, Paula Cooper Crawford, and Eric Cooper. Bev was an excellent, involved, and loving mother. She took on myriad roles within her family–everything from volunteer scout leader to birthday planner to in-home medical provider–and she managed each with her own unique flair. She tried to instill her children with confidence in their abilities, bringing the vigor of an entire cheering section when her children told her about their interests, accomplishments, and setbacks. This encouragement for her children’s pursuits occasionally revealed another of her beautiful qualities: her superhuman patience amid teenage antics, childish foolishness, near-constant yet playful sarcasm, and snakes, lots and lots of snakes.

Beverly’s family grew and she loved her daughters-in-law and son-in-law as much as her children. She and Larry retired in Mesa, Arizona. Seeing her children and her siblings spread out across the globe, she determined to be a unifying agent for her family. She wrote news-filled weekly letters for decades. She created a family newspaper, The McKnight Gnus, as a way for distant relatives to stay informed about one another. She organized family gatherings and traveled for each new grandchild, to help the mother and the family and to bring the new baby a personalized, handmade quilt. She held Cousin Camps at her home to form bonds with her grandchildren and with each other. She was a wonderful gift-giver and didn’t miss birthdays and other big events. Her efforts to unite her family stretched beyond the limits of this mortal life as she studied the lives of her and Larry’s ancestors and taught her posterity about them, and she did work for ancestors in the temple.

Bev found richness in life by exploring a wide variety of talents and interests. Her cartoons were printed in the humor sections of numerous publications such as Highlights for Children, New Era, and Friend Magazine. Despite an unencouraging comment from a junior high school art teacher, she demonstrated her relentless determination by developing her painting skills over the years until she had achieved marvelous proficiency. Her art hung in local galleries and continues to hang in prominent locations on many walls of her children’s homes. She worked tirelessly on children’s books for many years, culminating in the publication of The Apostle Paul: His Story (Covenant Books, Inc.) just three years before her passing. She constantly improved herself by reading dozens of biographies of many (other) great women and men of history. Working for a period of time as a substitute teacher, she was one of few who were willing to regularly accept assignments at a school for children with considerable behavioral needs. Bev had a talent for gardening, demonstrated particularly by her ability to tame Arizona’s punishing flora and turn her yard into another of her works of art. Her list of enriching life experiences is long! She was also a world traveler. She sewed clothes and created an impressive portfolio of unforgettable Halloween costumes. Bev even lifted weights and did cardio at a local gym into her 80s!

Finally, it is with bittersweet pride and joy that we see Bev pass into the presence of the Savior she loved so much in life. Her faith in Christ seemed to permeate every aspect of her thinking as she looked to Him when approaching her decisions, problems, and activities in life. She had remarkable experiences with the Spirit in her mortal life and we can only assume she is having them now. Bev treasured the words of the scriptures and of modern prophets and apostles, she prayed fervently, and she tried to match the Lord’s example by giving herself in service to others in her daily life and in her numerous roles as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She leaves a firm legacy of faith for those who follow.

For all of this and much, much more, Beverly Cooper will be missed terribly. We love you, Mom!

Funeral services:

Saturday, January 4, 2025

10:00 am viewing

11:00 am service

7752 E McDowell Road

Mesa, AZ 85207

Burial location:

Mountain View Funeral Home & Cemetery

7900 E Main Street

Mesa, AZ 85207

Arrangements by Bunker’s University Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.