Ruby Joy Cooper, 82, was born on July 14, 1930, in Oklahoma City, and passed away Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. She was adopted by John K. and Eloise (Camblin) Fretz of Watonga on Dec. 3, 1930. She grew up in Watonga and lived there most of her life, except for a few years in Wichita, Kansas; Greenfield and Geary. In 2006, she moved to Countrywood Assisted Living in Kingfisher.

She worked as a telephone operator for Pioneer Telephone in Watonga, until Pioneer went to a dial system. She then became the head librarian at Watonga Public Library where she worked for 31 years.

She graduated from Watonga High School and was member of the Watonga First Baptist Church, Watonga Rebekah Lodge and the Oklahoma Library Asociation. In 1980, she graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a degree in history and library science.

She married James Cooper at Wichita, Kansas on Aug. 17, 1947. She is preceded in death by her adoptive parents, John K. and Eloise Fretz; her mother Fleda N. Potter, three brothers, Ora Fretz, Virgil Fretz and one sister, Elsya Fretz.

She is survived by her husband James Cooper of Countrywood Assisted Living. One son, J. Carl Cooper and wife Lori of Incline Village, Nev., one daughter, Karen Gerber and husband Max of Kingfisher, six grandchildren, Lisa Wright and husband David, Edmond; Shane Gerber and wife Amanda, Yukon; Kevin Berger and wife Teresa, Oklahoma City; Travis Gerber, Stillwater; Steven Cooper, Incline Village, Nev., and Lindsey Cooper, Newport, Oregon. Six great grandchildren, Logan, Evan and Morgan Wright of Edmond; Tristan and Emily Gerber of Oklahoma City and Tenley Gerber of Yukon.

Funeral services for Ruby J. Cooper will be held Friday, Nov. 9, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Watonga with Rev. Sam Steele officiating. Burial will follow in the East Mt. Pleasant Cemetery southwest of Watong, with Wilkinson Mortuary in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Watonga Public Library.