Mrs. Elise Dougherty Cooper

Family and friends will gather at Liberty United Methodist Church (Sunset Campus), located at 1001 Sunset Ave, Liberty, MO on Sunday, February 4th, to celebrate the life of Elise Dougherty Cooper. Visitation will commence at 2 pm, followed by a memorial service at 3 pm. Elise passed away at the age of 97 on January 16, 2024.

Born on October 18, 1926, in Liberty, MO, to Lewis Bissell Dougherty and Nancy Moore Dougherty, Elise was a proud 5th generation resident of Liberty. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1944 and pursued studies at the University of Missouri in Columbia, majoring in chemistry and history. A member of the Theta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma social sorority, Elise later transferred to William Jewell College, earning a Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 1948.

Elise was involved in various organizations, including being a charter member of chapter KO of PEO, a charter member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Clay/Platte Alumnae, and part of the TNT local sorority of William Jewell College. She was also a member of Theta Chi Delta (National Chemical Fraternity) and served as the past president of American Field Service. Elise contributed as a board member of the William Jewell College Women’s Committee, Red Cross hospital volunteer, Meals on Wheels participant, and a member of Liberty United Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and past chair of education.

Notably, Elise played a key role in lobbying to keep the Clay County seat in Liberty, earning her the key to the city for her efforts.

Elise's lifelong love story began when she met John Robert Cooper as toddlers. They married on Christmas Eve 1946, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary before John's passing in 2007. Elise was an avid reader and maintained a keen interest in the world around her. In later years, she enjoyed "exercising" at William Jewell and became known as one of the "Three Mayors of Liberty" when gathering with friends for coffee.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters Jeanne Dougherty Saunders and Nancy Dougherty Denman, Elise is survived by her four children, Ann Cooper Halterman (Bill Figg) of Platte City, MO; Carolyn Cooper Degnan of San Ramon, CA; James Gentry Cooper (Lisa) of Liberty, MO; and Sarah Cooper Ferguson (Scott) of Stillwell, KS. She is also survived by grandchildren, Blake Halterman, Jayne Halterman Martin, Spencer Cameron, Jessica Cameron Tringali, Stacey Halterman Kullberg, Cameron Cooper, Raleigh Cain Torchia, Lindsay Degnan, Cooper Crooks, Gage Crooks, McKenney Degnan Toohey and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering a donation to the Liberty United Methodist Church in Elise’s memory.