Janis Gilley was born on February 24, 1938, in Hugo, OK, to Troy and Cecil (Armstrong) Gilley. Janis passed peacefully from this life February 2, 2025 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

She was one of three sisters, alongside Joan and Eva. Raised in Antlers, OK, Janis grew up in
the Church of Christ, where she nurtured her faith and instilled strong Christian values in her
family. She was instrumental in guiding her husband to join the church through baptism.

Janis cherished her childhood and teenage years, filled with horseback riding and exploring the
countryside. She formed lifelong friendships and was known for her kind heart, playful spirit, and
infectious laughter.

After graduating, Janis began her career as a telephone operator with Southwestern Bell. She
married Bill Cooper in Hugo, OK, on February 24, 1957. When Southwestern Bell relocated to
Texas, the couple bought a shoe store in Talihina, OK. Later, they returned to Antlers, where
Janis supported Bill in the Cooper family theater business, working in the concession stand and
ticket booth at the drive-in.

Janis transitioned to various roles, including school secretary, clerk positions, and eventually a
dental assistant. Her final job was as a billing clerk at Pushmataha Hospital, where she worked
for many years until her retirement.
Following Bill's passing, Janis moved to the Stafford Edition, where she became close friends
with neighbors Jack and Sandra Curtis. As her health declined, she relocated to Tulsa to be
near her daughter, who lovingly cared for her until her passing.

Janis enjoyed reading, gardening, playing cards and Sudoku, and spending time with family and
friends. She leaves behind a legacy as a devoted wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, and
kind mother-in-law. Janis will be deeply missed and remembered for the love and kindness she
shared with everyone.

Janis is preceded in death by her husband: Billy Cooper; sisters: Joan Gilley Pearson and Eva Gilley Lane; and her parents: Troy and Cecil Gilley.

She leaves behind her children: Bill Bradley and wife Shara Cooper of Pocola, OK, and Lisa Akard-Murphy and husband Tim Murphy of Tulsa, OK; and grandchildren: Kaitlin Cooper of Antlers, Blair Akard and wife Whitney of Broken Arrow, OK, Gary Minor and fiance Alex Dudley of Springdale, AR, and Mikyla Cooper and fiance Sam Brooks of Auckland, New Zealand; and great-grandson: Cooper Wayman of Antlers, OK; as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Janis will be held 10 AM Saturday February 15, 2025 at Serenity Funeral Service with Brent Franks officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Randy Hammons, Michael Wilson, Earl Cooper, David Burrage, Jess Cooper IV, Jeff Reidinger, Mark & Terry Pearson, Myrl, Billy & John Redman, Ronnie Holton, Jack Curtis, Tom Jackson, Bob Jesson, Sug Akard, Kenneth Blan, Don Helm and Finis Whiteside.

Services are under the direction of Serenity Funeral Service in Antlers, Oklahoma.