Donna Lee Vail-Cooper

Donna Lee Vail-Cooper, 61, of Kempner, passed away on March 13, 2023, in Killeen.

Funeral Services for Donna will be held at 12 noon, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Viss Family Funeral Home, 1614 S FM 116, Copperas Cove, Texas with burial following at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service.

Donna was born on October 22, 1961, to Roy and Gunda (Preuer) Starkey in Wuerzburg, Germany. Donna spent her early life moving around due to her father’s career in the army. She attended most of high school in Germany and was a proud Nurnberg Eagle, but ultimately ended up graduating high school from Lampasas High School as part of the class of 1979.

Donna married Richard Vail in June of 1983, and their marriage brought Shannon Marie into this world in 1987. They later divorced in November of 1991.

She attended Texas State Technical College and studied to be a dental assistant and was employed at the VA Hospital in Temple, Texas for 28 years, retiring in 2019.

Donna met Alvin George Cooper in October of 2002. The couple later wed on March 17, 2007, in Kempner, Texas.

Donna loved her horses, dogs, and her pet goat, Bandit. She enjoyed riding her horses, classic rock music, and working with veterans. She loved to be the life of the party.

Donna is preceded in death by her grandparents, Emilie and Johann Preuer and Homer and Dorthy Starkey. 

Donna is survived by her husband, Alvin Cooper; daughter, Shannon Vail Winckel; parents, Roy and Gunda Starkey; and sister, Roxanne Starkey-Clayton; grandson, Dean Winckel; niece, Rebekah Clayton; nephew, Ronald Clayton Jr.; stepchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Garcia, Mr. and Mrs. Justin Cooper, Stephanie Reed, and Jordan Cooper; 10 step-grandchildren; and a plethora of friends and family to cherish her memories.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Peaceful Acres Rescue or A&T Height Ranch and Rescue in honor and memory of Donna. 

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