Agnes Barnes Mantalas Coop, 78, of St. Augustine, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, at Flagler Hospital with her family by her side. She was born June 13, 1938, in Moultrie, Florida, to Roy and Eva Blackwelder and was a native and lifelong resident of St. Augustine. In her youth, Agnes worked as a manager at the Diana Shop and later worked as a crossing guard at Ketterlinus Elementary School. She also worked in the office at Melvin's Automotive Repair. A devoted wife, mother and homemaker, Agnes was also very active in the life of her children and was affectionately known as YaYa. She served as a homeroom mother and taught Sunday school. For many years she worked as a cashier in the dining hall at Flagler College. She was reluctant to quit her job at Flagler because of all the wonderful relationships she had formed with the students. She will be remembered as a mother figure to many of the youth that she came to know. She was a member of Good Shepherd Ministries and the American Legion Ladies Auxillary and La Femmes of the American Legion.
She is survived by daughters, Marie Chapman and husband Robert, and Elizabeth Ann Matalas, all of St. Augustine; a son, James Roger Mantalas, and his wife, Jacqueline, of Arkansas; a brother, Richard Blackwelder, of Lutz, FL.; grandchildren, Ryan Chapman (Isabella) of Perth, Australia, ReAnne Cox (Justin), of St. Augustine, Melissa Mantalas, Jessica Mantalas and Sarah Horn (Anthony), all of Atkins, Arkansas; and six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with Pastor Don Reimer officiating. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Johns Family Funeral Home. Interment will be at Pellicer Creek Cemetery at a later date. -