Barbara Ann Goodwin Cooper Schwing

Published 11:04 am Tuesday, November 12, 2024

New Iberia–Funeral Services to be held for Barbara Ann Goodwin Cooper Schwing, aged 80, on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany.  Visitation will be in the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Barbara Ann Goodwin Cooper Schwing, aged 80, passed away on November 9, 2024, in Jeanerette, Louisiana. Born on May 23, 1944, Barbara was known for her strength, independence, compassion, humor, and wisdom. She cherished her time with her family, including her late husband Jules Anthony “Tony” Schwing and their large family of five children, four children-in-law, and ten beautiful grandchildren.

Barbara graduated second in her class from Forrest High School in Jacksonville, Florida. She was married at 18 to her high-school sweetheart Kemp Hall Cooper and worked as a secretary for the FBI in Jacksonville during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When her husband died in a car accident, Barbara, aged 26, moved her family to New Iberia where she could be near her sister Judy McIlhenny and build a life for herself and her 3 young children. She always remembered those early years in New Iberia with gratitude for the many people who adopted her and her children into their community. Within a few years, Barbara was married to New Iberia native Tony Schwing and the couple added two children to their family. Her life was rich with interests, including gardening, writing, history, the arts, playing tennis, singing, watching CNN (while Tony was relegated to his “Fox” hole in the back bedroom), and engaging in volunteer work. She loved New Iberia and was an active member in the Woman’s Club and the Shadows Service League as well as a CASA volunteer and a passionate champion of needy families and countless charitable causes. Barbara, affectionately called Mamere by her grandchildren and their many friends, loved her family: summers at the beach, sporting events in the Catholic High School bleachers, countless award ceremonies, school concerts, Christmas programs and grandparents’ days. Her favorite times were spent on the wharf at Cypremort Point surrounded by the sights and sounds of her playing grandchildren, watching the sunset from the swing, perhaps with an old-fashioned in hand, a smile on her face and her laughter on the breeze.

She is survived by her sister, Judith Goodwin McIlhenny; her children, Armond Kemp Cooper Schwing and his wife Jennifer, Tiffany Cooper Schwing Breaux and her husband Kreig, Samuel Brett Cooper, Jules Blanchet “Chet” Schwing II and his wife Julia, and Juliet Schwing Davis and her husband Rusty. Barbara was a proud grandmother to Alex Breaux, Sydney Schwing Smith, Sam Breaux, St. George Schwing, Rivers Schwing, Cameron Schwing, Russell Davis, Rosemary Davis, Remy Schwing, and Jules Davis.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Armond Kenneth Goodwin and Constance Savoca Goodwin, and her spouses, Kemp Hall Cooper and Jules Anthony “Tony” Schwing. Memorial services are pending, and arrangements are being handled by Frioux-David Funeral Home in New Iberia.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Maison Teche Nursing Home in Jeanerette for their excellent care of Barbara and their compassion and support of her entire family. They also thank the sitters of Home Instead, in particular Debbie Augustine and Lisa Lewis who cared for Barbara like she was family and who are grieving her loss right along with us.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to ARC of Acadiana, honoring Barbara’s son Brett and her own spirit of giving and community involvement.

Family and friends may sign the guest register book and/or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org

David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. 337-369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.