Rose Marie Cooper

Rose Marie Cooper was born on December 5, 1934, in Washington, D.C., and passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, in St. Augustine, Florida. She was the beloved daughter of Mary Paterno Cecero and Pasquale Cecero. Rose was preceded in death by her husbands Wiley Joe Bolen, Russell Beard, and Russell Cooper, as well as her sons, Stephen Beard and William (Billy) Beard. She grew up and spent most of her life in and around Washington, D.C., where she raised her family and built her career. After retiring, she moved to Florida, where she lived in Melbourne Beach, then Viera, and finally settled in St. Augustine. Raised in the Catholic faith, Rose later found a spiritual home at Crosswater Community Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where she embraced a non-denominational Christian life rooted in love, grace, and community. Rose began her career as a dime store clerk and built a successful path in banking. She worked in the Audit Department before rising to the position of Vice President of Human Resources. She was a strong and independent woman who balanced the demands of her career with the responsibilities of motherhood—setting an inspiring example of dedication and resilience. Her life was marked by quiet strength, enduring kindness, and a deep compassion that touched everyone she met. She found joy in sewing, crocheting, watching movies and television, playing Mah Jong and Canasta with her friends, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her loving daughter, Teresa (Terry) Newsome and her husband Mike, and her son, David Beard and his wife Tracy. Rose also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Mandi Ehman and husband Sean, Dominic Beard and wife Casey, Anthony (Tony) Beard, Lindsay Vazquez and husband Anthony, and Crystal Moore and husband Ryan. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Peyton, Dylan, Parker, Sidney, Jackson, and Lucas Ehman; Emma, Vincent, and Olivia Beard; Luna and Levi Vazquez; and Haley and Cody Moore. She will be remembered for the life she lived with purpose, the love she gave, and the enduring impact she leaves behind. Rose followed her own path—true to her values, quiet strength, and a gentle spirit that made her life uniquely hers. A service will be held on Monday, November 3, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home, 385 SR 207, St. Augustine, FL 32084. There will be a family viewing from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., followed by a public viewing from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., with the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest at a later date at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, alongside her husband, Russell Cooper. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech – Florida, 9803 Old St. Augustine Road, Suite 7, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

Rose Marie Cooper

December 5, 1934 - October 31, 2025