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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Phyllis Ann Cooper-Besong
PHYLLIS ANN COOPER-BESONG
Cedar Rapids
Phyllis Ann Cooper-Besong, 62, of Cedar Rapids, died Dec. 21, 2018, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Memorial Mass: 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids with a visitation from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Phyllis was born Aug. 27, 1956, the daughter of Peter and Nora (Hires) Reed, in Tampa, Fla. She graduated from Bradley University in 1981. On Sept. 13, 1986, Phyllis was married to John-Paul Besong in Cedar Rapids. She worked as a retail manager for JCPenney and was a longtime student education advocate with a history of volunteering within the Cedar Rapids Community Schools.
From her sons' elementary days at their schools, to district and community boards that addressed improving achievement, Phyllis had a hand in creating opportunities, mentoring the youth, and guiding those who were in need of direction and support within their respective communities. She was willing to help in any way she could to improve the lives of the youth.
Survivors include her husband, John-Paul Besong; two sons, Clayton B. Besong and Brandon T. Besong; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister.
Memorials may be directed to the Lupus Foundation of America at www.lupus.org in memory of Phyllis.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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