Services will be held Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Athens, La. Brother Perry Anderson and Reverend John McClelland officiated. 

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow the service at Salem Cemetery. 

Genie was born in Fort Lee, Virginia, on December 13, 1952, to Colonel Marcus Edward Cooper and Mary Eugenia Gill Cooper. She was an army brat but called Rayville, LA, home, even though she only lived there for three years. As an army brat, she had the opportunity to live all over the world, which was an education in itself. She attended 13 schools and graduated from Rayville High School with honors.

Genie continued to further her education at Louisiana Tech where she graduated with a bachelor’s in interior design. She also studied art and architecture in Europe through the Tech Rome program. She practiced as an interior designer in Claiborne Parish for 42 years. 

It was at Louisiana Tech where she met the love of her life, Jimmy. She had a love of horses and realized he could take her to ride horses. She and Jimmy married in 1974 and made their home on his family farm in Athens. 

Genie loved her family, her church, and her career. You could often find her traveling, painting, or working in her yard. She always had something beautiful blooming in her yard! She loved making fresh arrangements to share with her family and friends. 

Most of all, Genie loved serving her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens where she served as an elder and Sunday school teacher. She was also a member and past vice regent of the Claiborne Parish Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; member of the Louisiana Tech Phi Mu Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Chapter; member of the Athens Garden Club; and part of a social group of ladies, Faith, Hope, and Love Sisters.    

Affectionately known as Gigi, Genie loved her children and grandchildren dearly. She loved to share their accomplishments with others. She was truly their biggest cheerleader. 

Genie is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 45 years, James Egan Marsalis Jr.; brother and sister-in-law Marcus Edward Cooper Jr. and Minette Goff Cooper; and her nephew, Marcus Edward Cooper, III.

She is survived by her daughter, Meagan Ardis Marsalis Stephenson (Clint); son, Mitchell Brandon Marsalis (Beth); grandchildren Emma-Claire Stephenson, Alan-Michael Stephenson, Anna-Grace Stephenson, James Maddox Marsalis, and Avery Mitchell Marsalis; one sister, Anne Brandon Cooper Dyer (Ross); one brother, Thomas Rowland Cooper (Marcy); brothers-in-law, Dennis Joe Marsalis (Donna) and Lovic Ardis Marsalis (Karen); niece Carolyn Minette Cooper Goodwin (Chris); niece-in-law, April Parker Cooper; nephews, Ross Dyer Jr. (Ursula), Cary Ray Cooper (Katie), Justin Marsalis (Kelsey), Blake Marsalis, and Cole Marsalis; and numerous great nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends. 

Pallbearers will be Maddox Marsalis, Avery Marsalis, Alan-Michael Stephenson, Justin Marsalis, Blake Marsalis, Cole Marsalis, Cary Cooper, Lonnie Winzer, and Lee Faulk. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Ross Dyer Jr., Chris Goodwin, Tanner Marsalis, Sam Dowies, Fanette Hodges, Christi Wilson, Ginny Berry, members of the Athens Garden Club, members of the Claiborne Parish DAR, and Faith, Hope and Love Sisters. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Cliff Salmon, Dr. Gerald San Pedro, Dr. Tyler Lash, the staff of CMMC and WK Cancer Center, the amazing staff from Passages Hospice, Retha Winzer, and Dorothy Jackson for the amazing care given to our mom and Gigi. 

Genie loved the color red! The family requests you wear something red in remembrance of her. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Athens, Athens Community Church, or Salem Cemetery Association.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” -- Isaiah 40:31