Big Sandy Elementary School

Mr. Joey Cooper was a remarkable individual who dedicated his life to improving the lives of others. He believed in the power of education and worked tirelessly as a member and Chairman of the Benton County School Board to ensure that the children in Benton County had access to the best education possible. Mr. Cooper was passionate about reading and considered it a foundational aspect of any education. He also served on the board of directors for the Utrust and used the money from a Utrust grant to provide a book vending machine to Holladay and Big Sandy. Although Mr. Cooper passed away before he could see his dream of bringing a book vending machine to Big Sandy come true, his legacy lives on through his widow, Mrs. Renee Cooper, who represented him and his dream at the presentation of the Utrust Grant award to the School Principal, Mr. Marty Caruthers. When it arrives, the machine will be dedicated to Mr. Cooper's memory as a fitting tribute to his years of tireless and selfless work for the students of Big Sandy and all of Benton County. We are immensely grateful for Mr. Cooper's contributions to education and his unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people. Pictured along with Principal Marty Caruthers and Mrs. Renee Cooper are many Big Sandy School faculty members, Supervisor Daniel Armstrong, and Director of Schools Mark Florence.