Melisa Ann Cooley, 56, of Batesville, Arkansas, passed away on July 11, 2025. She was born on November 12, 1968, to the late Joseph “Joe” Cooley and Anna Mae Brooks and lived a life full of love, generosity, and strong faith.
Melisa was a devoted Christian and a member of the Bethesda Church of Christ. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and her goal was to read through the Bible again — a journey that reflected her deep devotion and love for God.
She enjoyed a variety of hobbies that brought her joy and peace, including sewing, painting, camping, quilting, card games, dominoes, and reading, especially Amish fiction. She also loved spending time by the river or lake and was an avid fisherman. Her warmth, humor, and generous spirit touched everyone she met. Melissa was known as someone who would literally give the shirt off her back — a kindhearted soul who loved deeply and lived selflessly. Her nieces and nephews were her world, and she loved each of them as if they were her own children.
She is survived by her sisters: Agnes (William) Ingram of Bethesda, AR; Linda (Larry) Copeland of Las Vegas, NV; Patricia Sifford of Newark, AR; Mary (Terry) Weaver of Magness, AR; and Terri (Jim) Rudd of Magness, AR. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, two sisters-in-law, Marylynn Cooley and Ann Cooley, and one brother-in-law, David Holt.
Melisa is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Cooley and Anna Mae Brooks; two brothers, Leroy Cooley of Sage, AR and Larry Cooley of Mount Pleasant, AR; three sisters, Carolyn Brown of Mount Pleasant, AR; Joann Brashers of Ruddle Hill, AR; and Geraldine Holt of Batesville, AR; one niece, Sydney Rudd; and three nephews, Andrew Rudd, Ashley Brown, and Eric Brashers.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Willis Funeral Service Chapel. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM, also at Willis Funeral Service Chapel, with Shannon Smith and Austin Dowell officiating. Interment will follow at Barron Fork Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, Arkansas.
Pallbearers will be Wesley Cooley, Jason Holt, Ryan Weaver, Jamie Ingram, Wade Cooley, Cody Roach, J.B. Brashers, and Joseph Ingram.
Melisa will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory and legacy of compassion, faith, and generosity will live on in the hearts of those she cherished.
