Valerie Richardson Cooley

Beloved “mum/mom,” grandmother, and great grandmother, received her angel wings on July 4th, 2026, leaving this earth as the nation celebrated its freedom. At the age of 90, Valerie, too, celebrated her freedom from a struggle with dementia. Born in Old Hunstanton, England, on March 14, 1936, to Harry and Amy Richardson, Valerie was the youngest of three daughters. Just three years old when England entered World War II, Valerie spent much of her childhood shaped by wartime rationing, uncertainty, and sacrifice. Hunstanton became a haven for children evacuated from London during the Blitz, and witnessing so many young lives disrupted by war profoundly affected her. From those years she developed a deep compassion for others, a generous spirit, and an appreciation for sharing whatever she had. She also learned to be resourceful and frugal, knitting and sewing her own clothes and wasting nothing. Those lessons, born of hardship, remained the cornerstone of her character for the rest of her life.

Valerie graduated from King’s Lynn Technical Institute in 1953 earning a General Certificate in Education with studies in English language and literature, mathematics, business shorthand, bookkeeping, and typewriting. Valerie was introduced to the love of her life, Jack Cooley, by a cousin at a dance. She often said, “We danced one dance and that was it. We never stopped dancing!” Jack was stationed nearby with the US Air Force and they married in 1955. Together they moved to Alpine, Texas in 1957, with their daughter, Linda, where they welcomed two sons, Mike and Larry. Valerie proudly became a United States citizen in April, 1963.

There were always freshly baked cookies to those who knew her as “Mimi,” 8 grandchildren (Jacob, Matt, Greg, Sam, Zak, Brook, Sabrina, and Samra), and 8 great-grandchildren (Alyssa, Corbin, Cade, Raevyn, Cardin, Westin, Hally, and Millie).

Valerie is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Cooley; son, Larry Cooley; grandson, Jacob Cooley; sister, Daphne Agate; and, survived by her sister, Tony Rogers.

Valerie leaves a legacy of community service as a lifelong member of the Beta Sigma Phi, kindness with a sprinkle of spiciness, a love of entertaining and exceptional hostess, and expressing her creativity through china painting, sewing, knitting, and baking.

A celebration of life will be held on August 29th at 3:00pm at the Lucas Funeral Home located at 1321 Precinct Line Rd, Hurst, Texas.