THE LIFE & LEGACY OF MARY COOPER

Mary Minniefield Cooper was born in Texarkana, Texas on August 6, 1954, to the late Mr. Leon and Mrs. Emma Lewis Minniefield.

She was the fourth of seven children and the first daughter.

Raised in faith, Mary was baptized at an early age at New Zion Baptist Church.

A proud graduate of Texas Senior High School, Class of 1972, Mary spent her early years helping care for her baby sister alongside her mother.

After a brief time in production work, she began her administrative career at Wadley Regional Medical Center, where she met the love of her life, Rodney G. Cooper, in April 1983.

They were united in marriage on September 27, 1985.

The couple moved to Hooks, Texas, where they raised four daughters: NeKendra, Sharetha, D’Andra, and Breanna.

Mary was a devoted mother and a woman of faith, serving as Director of the Children’s Ministry at Greater St. John Baptist Church. 

Alongside her husband, she fulfilled a dream of entrepreneurship by opening Coop’s Detail Shop in New Boston, Texas.

Despite her many roles, Mary pursued her education with determination. 

She earned an Associate of Arts degree with a concentration in Business with a concentration in Business Administration, followed by a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M.

In 2005, the family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, where Mary continued to thrive professionally as a successful Realtor with HomeSmart Realty.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Emma Lewis Minniefield, and her beloved siblings: Prentice, Jessie, and Leon Jr.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Rodney Cooper; her children:

NeKendra (Jason), Sharetha (Robert), D’Andra, and Breanna (Daniel); her godson, Tony Thompson Jr.; and her treasured grandchildren:

Tre, Miaya, Kaibe, Anthony, Aden, Evelyn, B.J., Jalen, Keila, and Cooper. 

She is also survived by her brother Earnest (Sandra), sisters Maryann and Emily (James), cousin/sister Eula, Aunt Mary Barrow, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.