Barbara Cooper Schaefer, age 80, of Brinkley, Arkansas passed away on July 7, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband Fred H. Schaefer, her parents Muriel and Ynez Cooper and her brother, Charles Cooper. Barbara is survived by her children, Audra Wilcox and husband Ernie of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Clay Schaefer and wife Nikki of Hunter, Arkansas; grandchildren, Ellyn Rose Bailey, Coleman Wilcox, Morgan Nicole Schaefer, Cayla Beth Schaefer and Cole Henry Schaefer; and her brothers David Cooper and Thomas Cooper.

Barbara was born and raised in Brinkley, graduating in 1959 from Brinkley High School and remained one of its most ardent supporters throughout her life. After graduating from Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, she returned to Brinkley to teach. The only thing more important to her than teaching was her family. She stopped teaching to raise her children, only to return for long term substitution when the school needed her. After her children were raised, she returned to teaching for two years and then retired again due to health reasons.

Barbara supported the Brinkley Public Schools at every turn. She was instrumental in bringing PTA back to the Brinkley Public Schools in the early 1980s after a long period of no such organization. She was President of the PTA several times, including when she was 71 years old and had several health issues. Through the years, she tirelessly worked with others to complete several needed projects, including having ceiling fans installed in every classroom (before a/c), Box Tops for Education, Campbell Soup labels, purchase of playground equipment, scholarships for graduating seniors, plays from the Arkansas Arts Center so Brinkley children could experience, Chili Suppers, Cake Walks and several other fundraisers. She always encouraged every member of the community to become a part of this support organization.

Barbara was a founding member of the Monroe County Literacy Council and served on its Board of Directors. Even before the Literacy Council was in existence she taught several adults how to read through private tutoring.

Barbara was an active member of First Baptist Church of Brinkley. She led and directed Bible School. She was instrumental in the Broadmoor Mission church plant in Brinkley, known today as Broadmoor Baptist Church. She was active in WMU and acted as GA leader and director for many years. Additionally, she taught 4th and 5th grade Sunday School for almost 50 years. She was active in the Arkansas Valley Baptist Association and the Arkansas WMU. She and her husband made many mission trips to Belize, including driving to Belize with other members of the church.

Barbara's mission has been centered on the children of Brinkley. She dedicated herself to making Brinkley a better place. Her most important contribution has been supporting and encouraging others, regardless of their age, to participate in community activities. She believed everyone in the community could and should contribute in their own way.

A funeral service for Barbara Schaefer will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 10, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Brinkley.  Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., also at the church.  Burial will be at Hunter Cemetery in Hunter, Arkansas.