Vaska Cope

Vaska Brown "Gaga" Cope of Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away January 20, 2022, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 102. She was born April 17, 1919, in Lincoln County, Arkansas, the daughter of Major and Alma Brown. She attended school at Star City, Arkansas, graduating in 1937. She attended Arkansas A&M College at Monticello, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and Physical Education. She began teaching at the age of 19. She taught during the school year of 1940-1941 because of the shortage of teachers due to World War II. She taught all over Arkansas, at York Town, Eudora, Hamburg, Star City, Truman, and Forrest City; and also in California. She also coached girls basketball at Hamburg, where she met the football coach, Robert "Bob" Cope, whom she married in 1950. In 1956, they moved to Forrest City, Bob's Hometown, where she taught until she retired in 1977. In 1999, she moved to Mountain Home to be with her beloved niece, RubyDell Gracy and family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, Twin Lakes Welcome Club, and the Grand Garden Club. She enjoyed gardening, painting, traveling, playing cards, dominos, and being with her family and friends. She spent much of her time volunteering at church, and the Good Samaritan Society. Even into her 90's, she continued to drive and "help the old folks," even though most of the residents she helped were younger than her. Gaga was a beautiful lady whom was greatly loved and very special to her family.

Vaska is survived by her nephew-in-law, Tommy Gracy of Mountain Home, AR; nephew, Scooter (Nancy) Hodges of Cabot, AR; great-nephews, Cope Gracy of Rogers, AR, Daniel (Beth Cooper) Gracy of Mountain Home, AR, and Jessie (Whitney) Hodges of Ward, AR; great-great-nephew, Brantley Gracy of Mountain Home, AR; and great-great-niece, Allie Hodges of Ward, AR.

She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband Bob Cope; special niece, RubyDell Hodges Gracy; and great-nephew, David Gracy.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home. A Funeral Service for Vaska will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 27, 2022, at First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Daniel Thueson officiating. There will be a Funeral Service in Forrest City at Stevens Funeral Home on Saturday, January 29, 2022 with Burial to follow in the Forrest Park Cemetery, Forrest City, Arkansas. Due to current restrictions, masks are required.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services - Mountain Home, Arkansas. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com .