Sue Jean Cocanougher

Decatur: Sue Jean Cocanougher, 80, a beloved wife of 52 years, sister, mother, grandmother, and teacher went to be with our Lord, Thursday February 3, 20ll in Decatur.

Funeral service is 2 p.m. Sunday, February 6, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church of Decatur with Reverend Roy Spore officiating. Interment: Oaklawn Cemetery. Family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home.

Sue Jean was born July 3, 1930 in Decatur to Gordon Daniel and Jennibelle (Renshaw) Roberts. She married Allen Howell Cocanougher on July 5, 1958 in Decatur.

"This was a woman before her time. She was strong, independent and smart as a whip." Mary Kay Battaglia said of Sue Jean. As a mentor to many, she was a person who didn't join many organizations, but quietly and without publicity went about contributing to the lives of those who knew her. Sue Jean was the Vice President and Salutatorian of her senior class of Decatur High School in 1947. She attended Decatur Baptist College and graduated from Baylor University. She received her masters of arts degree in history at Texas Women's University in 1969. Sue Jean was quoted in her high school annual as saying "What is the use of living if you can't have a good time."

Sue Jean was a teacher for 26 years. After graduating from Baylor, she taught in the Fort Worth School District for several years and in summers volunteered as a counselor at a Girl Scout Camp in Alpine, Texas. She then married, returned to Decatur, and began teaching 4th grade. When the Federal Migrant Program began in Decatur School District, she was an avid participant, feeling that Wise County dairymen needed migrant workers and that their children needed to be educated. Over 14 years she both taught and continually visited the homes on the dairy farms, befriending parents and encouraging them to register their children for the program. She planned parent and teachers' meetings, quietly helped children and parents with whatever she found was needed, which could be anything from eye glasses to scholarships for college and she developed life-long relationships with some. Sue Jean was a philanthropist who generously supported the Decatur Community Hospital, as well.

When Decatur Library had its beginning in the early 70's she was a regular volunteer and recruited other volunteers. She regularly supported Civic groups, buying extra tickets to events such as the Women's Club Tour of Homes at Christmas, the Off 380 Players productions, and others. She frequently visited Assisted Living Residents and home-bound seniors.

In 1969, Sue Jean wrote the book The Social History of Wise County, Texas, Between 1880-1910 which is housed in the Decatur Library's Reference Section. She was a member of the Wise County Historical Society, the Oaklawn Cemetery Board, and was a member of First United Methodist Church for 80 years. At her death she was continuing to serve on the Decatur Main Street Historical Committee that produced the book A Walk Through Time, The Decatur Square. Sue Jean also enjoyed bird watching and was a member of two bridge clubs.

Left behind to cherish her memory is her husband of 53 years, Allen Howell Cocanougher; sons, Robert Cocanougher and his wife Terri of Southlake, Daniel Cocanougher of Justin; sister Sheri Roberts of Decatur; four grandchildren, Jennifer Cooper and her husband John of Keller, Bobby Cocanougher of Southlake, Danielle Cocanougher of New York City, and Ellen Cocanougher of Justin.

Family requests memorials be made to the Decatur Public Library, 1700 South FM 51, or to the Wise County Heritage Museum, 1602 South Trinity both in Decatur, Texas 76234.

Coker-Hawkins Funeral Home 940/627-5959

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I loved Sue Jean so much she was a true friend, and I cannot get there because of medical problems..You have our true sympathy..

Virginia Williams
tomandgin01@embarqmail.com

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Sue Jean, as she was called for all of my memory, was a life-long friend to my mother, Elizabeth Ann Ward Robertson. She was especially attentive during these recent years as my mother's health declined and was not able to communicate as she had in the past. During especially difficult times, Sue Jean has been a blessing to me personally. She updated mother's friends in Decatur and around the country about her condition. She saved me thousands of phone calls and unmeasurable hours during those times. Mother was fortunate to have Sue Jean as a caring friend, as am I.

Gene,Judy and Kim Kincaid
Denison, Texas

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