Jean Ann Cooper Arthur

On January 17, 2024 at 5pm surrounded by her family, Jean Ann Cooper Arthur left this earthly life and entered heaven at age 92 after suffering complications from COVID-19.

Jean was a beloved and devoted military wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is reunited with her beloved husband, Major Harry Levi Arthur, USAF (Ret.) to whom she was happily married for 69 years until his death in 2020.  She was also preceded in death by her grandson Joshua Levi Arthur, and her parents Paul Cooper and Mae Harrison Cooper.

She is survived by her four sons Mark (Vickie) Arthur, Stephen (Edie) Arthur, Gregory Arthur and Randal Arthur as well as seven grandchildren - Ashley Tucker, Kelly Arthur, Christopher Arthur; Kimberly Dwyer and Emily Arthur; Bethany Arthur; and Dylan Arthur and 10-great grandchildren.

Jean led a remarkable life. She was born on November 23, 1931, in Westmoreland, TN. She was an only child and doted on by her parents. When she was a young girl, her folks moved to Indianapolis.

At a dance at the University of Indiana in 1950 Jean met Harry, a decorated All State Champion on the wrestling team and ROTC scholar. Harry proposed on April 28, 1951 at the Drive In Theater in Indianapolis. They married on August 3, 1952, at the Baptist Church in Southport, Indiana in a 7:30PM ceremony.

Shortly thereafter, Harry was commissioned into the Air Force. The couple embarked on a 21-year journey as a military family living in Indiana, New York, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, California and Florida as Harry served as a bombardier and navigator flying the B58 hustlers during the Cold War and then covert, reconnaissance missions on various aircraft during the Vietnam War. Jean was proud of being a military wife.

In 1973 Harry retired from the Air Force and, in true Jean fashion, she told him "I've served right beside you and followed you for 21 years and now we are moving to Tennessee, where I want to be close to my parents and my roots". They moved to Hendersonville, as her parents had retired to Gallatin.

With her children as young adults, Jean entered the work force in administration for Bill Trickett Honda where she made many friends, to whom she remained loyal until her death. She was particularly close to Mary Peterson.

To say Jean loved animals would be an understatement! There was no such thing as a stray and everyone seemed to drop off needy animals at the top of the hill at her home in Hendersonville, where she lovingly cared for all -- from dogs, to cats to horses - - with open arms and heart.

Some of her favorite pastimes were square dancing, gardening, and hanging out on the porch of the country home she and Harry built together in Hendersonville. In the last two years of her life, she much enjoyed playing Rummikub with her friends at Park Place Independent Living.

Jean always had a smile on her face and possessed a great sense of humor that will never be forgotten. Although she will be greatly missed, her family finds comfort knowing she is reunited with her Harry.

Her family will hold a celebration of life and graveside service with military honors on Saturday, March 23, at 3pm at Hendersonville Memory Gardens. All are welcome.

Flowers are welcome, as Jean adored them, or donations can be made to the Sumner County Humane Society, an organization she supported wholeheartedly for many years.