Ginger Cooper Witcher

Bessie Virginia “Ginger” Cooper Witcher, a strong and faithful woman of God, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. After a life filled with faith, family, love, hard work, and countless acts of service, she is now healed and whole, sitting at the throne of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Services will be Monday, September 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at First Woodway Baptist Church, 101 N Ritchie Rd., Woodway, Texas 76712, with Chris Wommack officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, Texas 76710.

Born in Clovis, New Mexico, on April 22, 1937, she was the daughter of farmers, U.S. and Nell Cooper. Ginger spent much of her childhood on farms and ranches throughout West Texas. A true tomboy, she was happiest outdoors and was always ready to help her dad with the livestock. Her strong work ethic and willingness to help others began early and remained defining qualities throughout her life.

Those who knew her well will also remember her fascination with the weather. Her family often joked that she was their personal weather reporter because she was always watching the skies and keeping everyone informed when bad weather might be headed their way. She took that responsibility seriously—and, often, she was right.

As a freshman in high school, Ginger moved to Lampasas, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Thomas Albert “Albert” Witcher. Their love story began as teenagers and continued for more than seven decades. They married on May 18, 1957, beginning a marriage that would span 69 years.

After Albert graduated from Baylor Law School, they chose to make their home in Waco, Texas, where they raised their four children and built a life centered on faith and family. Their home was a place of love, laughter, good food, and welcome.

Ginger was especially known for her cooking. She made wonderful meals from scratch and somehow always seemed to have enough food to feed the entire neighborhood. Hospitality came naturally to her, and baking was her love language. She generously shared sweets with the staff at First Baptist Church of Woodway, where she attended for most of her adult life; the firefighters at Waco Fire Station No. 14, just down the road from their house; and anyone else she thought needed a treat.

Her family was her greatest earthly treasure and priority. Being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was not simply a role she filled—it was a joy and a calling she embraced wholeheartedly. If her family needed her, she came—whether they were right in Waco or hours away. Her home was a place of fun, rest, and retreat, especially for her grandchildren. They loved being together there and being with her. In countless ways, she gave them a sense of freedom, belonging, and peace while modeling a life of generous, selfless love.

Ginger was preceded in death by her parents, U.S. and Nell Cooper, her brother Harold Cooper and sister Gero Cooper.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Thomas Albert Witcher, and their four children: Mark Thomas Witcher, and wife Ann; Leah Witcher Teague, and husband Ted; Melissa Witcher SoRelle; and Tucy Witcher Caster.

She was a cherished grandmother to Kimberly Witcher; Nicole Hogan, and husband Ben; Jennifer Deppa, and husband Rob; Ashley Jackson; Daniel Witcher, and wife Callie; Elizabeth Patton, and husband Colten; Madisen Hashmi, and husband Ahmad; Wyatt Caster; Courtney Gray, and husband Garrett; and Abigail Davis, and husband Nate. She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, who brought her immense joy and gave her even more people to love, encourage, and spoil: Wesley and Zachary Hogan; Ellie, Robbie, Sophie and Rosie Deppa; Willa, Hattie and Cooper Witcher.

While her family will deeply miss her presence, they take comfort in the faith that shaped her life. Knowing Jesus as her Savior was the most important thing to her, and her greatest hope was that those she loved would know Him too. Her faith was reflected in the way she loved her husband, raised her children, cared for her grandchildren and those around her, served her church and community, and lived each day.

She lived life fully. She loved deeply. She worked hard. She fed people well. She watched the weather. She showed up when needed. And she loved her family fiercely.

Now she is home with the One she loved and trusted above all else. Alzheimer’s no longer clouds her memories or obscures the truth of who she is—a beloved child of God, deeply loved by her family and friends. Her family holds tightly to the promise that this separation is only temporary.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7

Pallbearers will be Mark Witcher, Daniel Witcher, Wyatt Caster, Damon Cooper, David Cooper and Ted Teague.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Woodway Baptist Church Senior Adult Designated Account.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory for Ginger in her Memorial Guestbook at www.WHBfamily.com.