Heather Lane Cooper

Heather Lane Cooper, 38, passed away on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 in Gunnison County, CO. She was driving to the Denver airport to board a plane to Oklahoma to attend her 20th high school reunion. She was hit head on and died on impact at the crash site. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday November 12, 2025 at Dighton-Marler Funeral Home, Stillwater. Celebration of Heather's life will begin at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2025, at University Heights Baptist Church, 323 S. Knoblock, followed by a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Stillwater, OK.

Heather entered this world (two weeks behind schedule) in Beaver, OK, April 2, 1987, the youngest of three daughters born to Page Provence and David L. Cooper. Her father pre-deceased her in 2000. Raised in Stillwater since she was an infant, she grew up in a loving family, and attended Stillwater Public Schools. She graduated from OSU in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Since January, she was enrolled online with OSU to earn her master’s degree in education.

As a child, Heather enjoyed playing with her sisters, dance, softball, and team sports. She loved her girl scout troop and earned her gold award in scouting. She was always at youth group as a teenager and placed her faith in Christ and was baptized at UHBC when she was young. She played on the Jr. High volleyball team, and was the team manager in high school. Her love for travel and adventure started early with family trips, mission trips, girl scout trips, and ski trips. While in Jr. High, she traveled to Ireland on a school trip, and in high school, traveled to Massachusetts with her youth group. In high school and college, she worked at Crepe Myrtle restaurant and Brooklyns. During the summers she attended camps and also worked at Camp Balcones Springs, Marble Falls, TX.

Heather was a reader. She loved to visit bookstores and was excited as an adult that she got to work Townie Books in Crested Butte. She loved to collect quotes, write notes and give gifts. She was a devoted friend. Heather was always up for a board game or trivia game and she followed her favorite college and pro sports teams. She liked to cook with her roommates and loved her cat. She enjoyed being called upon to dog sit too, and she had many repeat clients. She sought out travel and service to others, and as a young adult, she lived in Portland, OR for a few years and she was overseas with YWAM, visiting Dubai, Croatia and Greece. In 2016 - 2017, she lived in Turkey with a family she knew from UHBC and helped homeschool their children. Just this fall, she took several beautiful trips with friends in different places like Portland, OR, Salem, MA, and Paonia, CO. Heather had many fun adventures and trips---too many to recount here---that she shared with family and friends. She didn’t miss the moment and brought laughter with her. Heather was very approachable and a good listener; she made friends wherever she went.

Recently, she spent most of her time in Crested Butte, CO where her sister Jill and her children live. She loved playing co-ed softball in the summers there. In addition to being a wonderful aunt, she had several jobs in Crested Butte. She waitressed at McGills, worked at the bookstore, and served in many roles at the local school. She was hired to teach 8th & 9th grade language arts, which she considered a huge honor. The school principal beautifully said, “I can’t begin to describe the effect this loss has had on our staff and students. Heather has had such an impact on our building as a teacher, a coach, a sub, and an after-school program teacher. Her positive influence on kids is truly far reaching; she was deeply loved by her students and volleyball players.”

In the wake of her early death, her family and friends are heartbroken for losing the companionship of such a loving, beautiful soul. It is evident from the outpouring of messages that she meant a lot to many people.

If you have stories or pictures to share, please email them to MemoriesofHeatherCooper@gmail.com for the family and to honor Heather’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial in Heather’s honor to Hope4Nations.com or to Stillwater High School Volleyball (please mail donation checks to SHS Volleyball Booster Club Association P.O. Box 562, Stillwater, Ok 74076).

Heather is predeceased by David L Cooper (2000); uncle, Paul David Provence (2019); grandfather, Carl N Provence (2024); grandmother Jewel Ann Cooper (2002).

She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Page Provence and Jim George of Stillwater, grandmother Grace Provence, sister Averi (Jerett) Blackmon, sister Jill Pitt, nieces and nephews Ty, Annie, Jay, Wiley and Sadie. Stepbrother Jim (Anna) George, their children Makayla, Kolby (Hailie), Kaylin (Lonnie) Sims, Ezra (Mia) Sell, Simon George. Stepbrother Tim (Cori) George and their children, Hunter, Ross and Revin. Aunt Jeanette Provence, cousins Kelsey (Austin) Kelly, and their children Aria, Aurora, Karlisle and Avonlea; cousin Mitchell Provence. Aunt Jo Deane (Ed) Holleyfield and their children Jolea, Karla and Eddie. Aunt Leah (Sam) Banning. Uncle Butch (Bonnie); Jim, Janet and Dean George.