Sherry Florene Conrado-Cooper

Sherry Florene Conrado-Cooper, born August 15,1951, of Alamogordo, NM passed away peacefully at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, NM on May 29, 2025, at the age of 73. She was surrounded at her bedside by her family. Sherry was born in Florence, Colorado and she attended Florence High School, where she met and married John Smith, the father of her two children, Stacey and Mandy. John joined the Navy after being drafted and the couple relocated to San Diego, CA, where Stacey was born. Mandy was born in Albuquerque, NM, and another move landed them at the Air Force base in Keflavik, Iceland (now closed).
 
Sherry remarried and moved to Pease Air Force Base in Portsmouth, bought a first home and settled in Dover, NH for 10 years. Sherry was a loyal military spouse and mother, supporting her children in their activities including serving as a cheer leading coach and transporting to competitions. She held various jobs throughout her travels as a military spouse. In 1991, after a divorce and Pease closing as part of the demilitarization efforts, Sherry and Mandy relocated to New Mexico. Sherry met Jim Cooper of Georgia, a retired Air Force serviceman, when they both worked at the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office, or DRMO. DRMO is a civil service organization that redistributes military equipment and materials. It was the perfect job for her given her love of thrifting! She coordinated the contribution of a pool table to her daughter Mandy's dorm at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Sherry and Jim were married for 30 years raising Stacey’s kids since Ethanuel was 2 and Nev was 4, eventually adopting them.
 
Appreciated for her quick wit, Sherry was a kind, giving, and thoughtful person. In NM she became a generous landlady to countless tenants. She never missed a birthday or holiday for her children and grandchildren. Sherry was a county-fair-winning gardener (somehow able to grow roses in the desert!). She enjoyed watching the Oprah show and soap operas with her kids, thrifting, and collecting vintage jewelry and glassware such as Jadeite and milk glass. Sherry was known to indulge in chocolate and ice cream and had a special relationship with her former pet Chihuahua, Molly. 
 
Sherry is survived by her husband, Jim Cooper, of 30 years; her daughter, Mandy Smith-Ryan; son-in-law, Andy Ryan; 5 grandchildren, Kayla Salazar (partner, James DeLeonard), Nevaeh Conrado, Ethanuel Conrado, Isla Ryan, and Anya Ryan; her brother, Ricky Brinkley. Her legacy of kindness lives on in her grandchildren, her pride and joy. Sherry is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Conrado and Wanda Brinkley; brother, Gary Conrado; daughter, Stacey Cordova; and best friend and chosen sister, Sandy Johnson. 
 
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, June 9, 2025, at Alamogordo Funeral Home in Alamogordo, NM. Sherry will be laid to rest next to Stacey in Monte Vista Cemetery. 

Sherry's family would like to thank all of her previous caregivers, including all the nurses, physicians, and staff at Memorial Medical Center who showed unending tenderness and kindness in her final days. Memorial donations in her memory can be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Otero County, https://www.bgclubsotero.com/s/ or a charitable organization of your choice.

The Conrado-Cooper family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.

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