Reva Lois Cooper Votaw, age 86, of Oak Grove, Missouri, died quietly, surrounded by family, on the afternoon of February 1, 2025, at ANEW Healthcare in Odessa, MO.
Born December 20, 1938, in Grove, Oklahoma, Reva was the youngest of four children of Leo Alfred Cooper (1897-1954) and Madeline Pansy Cooper (1900-1969). She was registered as member of the Cherokee Nation and grew up in Little Kansas, OK.
After marriage in 1957, Reva was a resident of Kansas City MO, Independence MO, Raytown MO, and then a 45-year resident of Oak Grove MO, until the 2017 Oak Grove tornado took her home. She was a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church where she served as the Youth Choir director and a Director of Mother’s Day Out. She was employed at the Oak Grove High School cafeteria and as a dental hygienist.
Reva was preceded in death by her father Leo Cooper, her mother Madeline Cooper, her husband Milford “Bob” Marion Votaw (1917-1998), sister Jaunita Larmon of Jay OK, brother Doyle “Lefty” Cooper of Kermit TX, and sister Dorothy Hollenback of Springfield CO.
Reva is survived by her son Robert Votaw of Oak Grove MO, son Kevin Votaw of Lees Summit MO, daughter Cheryl Hertel of Rochester MN, and daughter Lyric Boyle of Odessa MO; 12 grandchildren; 1 great-granddaughter; sons-in-law Don Hertel and Mike Boyle; and daughters-in-law Leslie Votaw and Valerie Votaw.
Funeral services will be held at Royer Funeral Home on Friday, February 7th , with visitation from 1:00 – 2:30pm and funeral service at 2:30pm, followed by the graveside service in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441