Sharla Ann Cooper

Sharla Ann (Jett) Cooper was born on May 31, 1951 in Lamar, Co. to parents Marjorie Laverne (Ewing) Jett & James Franklin Jett. Sharla started out life with a little handicap, a club foot but that didn’t slow her down as she scooted everywhere dragging the cast with her. Life for Sharla was pretty simple until her little brother Steve was born. As they grew in stature, so also did her disdain for Steve increase. Sharla recalled the day, shortly after their family moved into a new home on Juniper street, that Steve had really annoyed her and she grabbed the closest weapon, a broom , and proceeded to charge after him intent on impaling him with the broom handle. As Steve ran into the bathroom, he slammed the door behind him & Sharla impaled the door leaving a hole the size of a quarter. How do you fix an owie, they put a bandaid on it. Fifty years later, that door still hangs with the hole bearing witness to brother rage. Another time, Steve followed her home from school antagonizing her to the breaking point. As she stepped through the front door, Steve was hot on her heels and she saw her chance. Sharla turned and heaved her armload of books at Steve knocking him backward through the glass on the screen door. Steve kept his distance from then on, well, at least until the stitches healed. There were many other dramas played out in Sharla’s early life which included playing dress up at her grandparent Jett’s home, eating cherry pie at her grand parent Ewings home, a Honda 50, a 1957 Thunderbird convertible nick-named the “lightning chick”, and much more. Let’s rewind a moment to second grade when Sharla noticed a classmate by the name of Randy. For a short time, Sharla had quite a crush on him and little did either one realize what the future had in store for them. Before they both knew it, it was their senior year and the two of them were part of an elite group of 12 year Seniors. In May of 1969 Randy asked Sharla for a date, knowing little that this was the beginning of their lives together. In September 1969, Sharla and Randy headed off to college at Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo. It was a little hard to focus on studies when you could get a “Big Mac” for 19 cents, a gallon of gas cost 15 cents, and go see a movie for a quarter. One evening as Sharla and Randy were sitting in her car, outside the movie theatre, the conversation turned once again to Jesus Christ. After much discussion, Randy exited the yellow Camaro and ran across the street to get some popcorn. Upon returning, Sharla said “Well I did it!” Randy replied “Did what?” to which Sharla responded “I asked Jesus to come into my heart and forgive my sins.” Well, shortly thereafter Randy asked Sharla to marry him & on April 11, 1970 they became husband and wife. For years, Sharla and Randy were busy as they did everything together. Water skiing, snow skiing, elk hunting every year, in fact they once spent an entire month in the mountains, in a tent. That time spent together, riding the horses all over the mountains seeking the elusive wapiti (elk) held some of the fondest memories of their early life together. One time, they spent 6 weeks in Hawaii visiting her father. They snorkeled and golfed and combed the beaches and laid out in the sun. Every night the breaking waves would send a shower of mist through the bedroom window as the home was just 20 feet from the water. BUT it sure was good to get back to good ole Baca county. After a few years of marriage, Sharla’s desire to become a mother became overwhelming. When Doctors could find nothing wrong, Sharla’s prayers to her heavenly father became fervent, believing God would grant her the desires of her heart. Twice Sharla & Randy’s joy of upcoming parenthood was shattered by miscarriages. Finally after 14 years of marriage, their prayers were answered and BETHANY KAY COOPER was born on April 12, 1984 one day after their wedding anniversary. Then 16 months later, her little brother NATHANIEL HOWARD COOPER was born on August 28, 1985. Sharla delighted in pampering and spoiling her children and since they owned the Sears Catalog Store it appeared that Bethany and Nathaniel had stepped right off the pages of the Sears Christmas Catalog. Bethany and Nathaniel grew up in probably the most unique home in Baca County, the remodeled “Jett” lumberyard. Fond lasting memories were created in that home, please let me share a few. The home included a courtyard which was about 25% grass and 75% cement. The kids remember riding their electric cars for hours at a time, around the courtyard and who could forget the trampoline, mounted into the upper deck of the home? They recall having their friends over, sometimes a dozen or more and Sharla would fix drinks and cookies for them all. Kids also have a way of getting in trouble. Bethany and some of her friends, who will remain unnamed, were generous and decided to share some of the chocolate with a few of the young neighbor children. They thought it was great and Bethany, being the kind hearted young lady we all know, shared more of the home goodies with them. A few hours later, an irate neighbor mom was on our doorstep demanding who had given her children EXLAX. Sharla demanded the young band of renegade girls deliver a full apology. Later that evening, having found out the children were ok, Sharla and Randy hee hawed which was just one of the thousands of times they shared light hearted moments together. Nate recalls the time he received a new BB gun and went out back and shot a bird. The picture, in the back of the church, gives evidence that while Nathaniel was the proud procurer of wild game, Bethany was totally disgusted with his new found hunting skill. The kids spent thousands of hours in that courtyard playing basketball, volleyball, riding their electric cars, and time spent in the hot tub. Inside the home was a huge recreation room, and the unique kitchen allowed Sharla to whip up snacks in a moments notice. The snack bar not only served as a refueling station but also as a work table for school work and Patch the Pirate Club memorization. At Christmas time, our family tradition was to go to Bunny and Poppies ranch and cut a fresh Christmas tree which was always 10’ to 14’ tall. Sharla delighted in making our home festive for any and all occasions. BUT, there is one expression of love from Sharla that stands out. Special days such as birthdays, Easter, May Day, Schools out, July 4th, back to school, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas always began with a cauche of goodies laid out on the living room floor or on the couch. These spoil packs included coloring books & toys & treats & clothes and chocolate rabbits and more clothes and huge chocolate kisses & more. Randy also enjoyed these expressions of love as he would try to divert the kids attention and bite off one of the chocolate bunnies ears. Sharla enjoyed planning and packing for vacations and most often it appeared nothing had been left at home. Sharla was so proud and relieved when Bethany and Nathaniel accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. She was proud of their individual accomplishments and always encouraged them to walk with the Lord. Yes she was a proud supportive mom who more than once had to be reminded she was a Christian and that she should calm down and remain seated and quit asking the referee if he wanted to borrow her glasses. Sharla’s favorite sport was track because she could be with both kids and personally encourage them in their individual events. When Nate was recruited to play basketball for the Naval Academy, it just about killed her when we left the motel and we could hear the drill sergeant from clear across the bay yelling at the new plebes but all she could envision was him yelling at her little 6’ 8” boy. It was all I could do to keep her from returning to the base and kicking that drill sergeants rear. Fast forward to January 25, 2004 when Sharla and Randy’s first grandchild SHAIYANN MICKELE CHENOWETH was born. It was if Sharla’s life was on replay. Then on July 6, 2007 JETT THAYNE KONKEL was born & Sharla was caught up in full swing as she once again was self- designated as chief spoiler and giver of hugs and kisses and clothes and toys and chocolate bunnies and hugs & kisses and love and love and love. Sharla’s favorite phrase to the kids was “How much do you love me?” They would then stretch their arms as wide apart as possible and say “Gramma Sharla I love you to the moon and back” which was then followed by more hugs and kisses. Sharla was a special wife, mom, gramma, friend and sister in Christ. Did we have any clue how much she meant to her family and friends? NO WE DID NOT! Will we get a chance to see her again and tell her what a special lady she was? YES, but only if you have that same relationship she had with Jesus Christ her personal Savior. Please believe us, when we tell you, that Sharla is pleading with each of you that you will examine who Jesus Christ was, what he accomplished on the cross and the promise of eternal life he gives to all who believe and trust in his name. Sharla was preceded in death by two unborn children; her father James Franklin Jett, her step father Bruce Westphal, and her father in law, Cecil Cooper. Sharla leaves to mourn her passing, husband of 43 years, Randy; her daughter Bethany Kay Cooper and her two children Shaiyann & Jett and her son Nathaniel Howard Cooper; her dear mother Laverne Westphal and brother Steve, wife Karen and family and her mother in law Rosella Cooper and her brother in law George Cooper, sister in law Kathleen Hiner and sister in law Marie Emmons and their families, numerous step sisters & brothers, her church family and a host of family and friends. SHARLA WE WERE SO MADE FOR EACH OTHER, I LOVED YOU DEARLY AND WILL SO MISS YOU!