The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Minnie Bertha Cooper of Americus, Georgia will be held Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia. Interment will follow at Leaston Cooper, Sr. Cemetery in Leslie, Georgia.
Mrs. Minnie Bertha Cooper was born to the parentage of the late Mr. Willie Gooden and the late Mrs. Mae Bertha Sims Gooden in Plains, Georgia, on May 30, 1935. She was the second eldest of five offsprings. Three of her siblings, Rosa Mae Gooden, Eugene Gooden and Ozie Terry preceded her in death. “Bert”, as she was affectionately called, was educated in the Sumter County School System. At an early age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and joined the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, which she loved dearly. Even as an adult, she would return to Bethlehem every year for their annual revival and the church homecoming celebration until her health failed.
During Minnie’s young adulthood, she met the love of her life and was united in holy matrimony to the late Sgt. 1st Class Joe R. Cooper. To this union a son was born, Carlton Jerome Cooper, who also preceded her in death. Minnie, Joe, and Carl traveled to Hawaii due to Joe’s active-duty assignment in the Army. After Joe’s tour was completed in Hawaii, the Coopers were relocated to Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. This is where the Coopers remained and made Tacoma, Washington their new home.
Minnie was truly no stranger to the world of labor. For many years, she was employed by the government at Fort Lewis Army Base as a civilian in their laundry department, where she worked faithfully and diligently for more than 25 years, and retired in the early 1980’s. Adding to her many facets of employment, Minnie was also a self-employed realtor. She and Joe purchased real estate and provided the community with affordable rental property and housing. She maintained this business for 25 years after the passing of her husband, Joe.
Although she was a very astute businesswoman, she will be remembered most as a loving wife, a devoted mother, a caring and loving daughter, an awesome sister, a devoted aunt, a loving cousin, and a loyal friend to many.
On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, God saw that his servant was getting tired, and He whispered, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” Minnie answered the call and slipped away peacefully with family at her bedside.
Her legacy will live on in the lives of her devoted and loving brother, Willie (Millicent) Gooden of Springfield, Virginia; her dedicated nieces: Veronica Arline and Amber Westbrooks of Americus, Georgia, Simone Westbrooks of Albany, Georgia, Theresa (Ricky) Myrick, Vonda Goodin (Willie Clay) of Smithville, Georgia, Stephanie (Moises) Pulido and Sonya Gooden of Springfield, Virginia; her nephews: Brandon Ellis of Smyrna, Georgia, Christian Westbrooks of Americus, Georgia, and Wayne Gooden of Springfield, Virginia; devoted and attentive care givers: Mattie Jackson Jordan of Plains, Georgia, Debra Barber of Americus, Georgia, and Juanita Ellis of Albany, Georgia; two stepdaughters: Reva (Nathaniel) Wright of Vera Beach, Florida and Myrtice Johnson of Brooklyn, New York; sisters-in-law: Nadene (John) King of Smithville, Georgia, Vera Arney of Hampton, Georgia, Irene Cooper Rutherford of Atlanta, Georgia, Barbara Linnear and Eartha (Johnny) Robertson of Augusta, Georgia, and Effie Cooper of Leesburg, Georgia; brothers-in-law: Tony (Amanda) Cooper of Americus, Georgia, Royzelle (Shirley) Cooper of Perry, Georgia, and Thomas (Angellete) Cooper of Fayetteville, North Carolina; a host of sorrowing friends and relatives also survive including cousins: Nettie (Kenny) Hall, Eddie (Gwen) Wright, Retha Stewart, Betty Jo Cunnigham, Nancy Jo Westbrook and Alvin (Dee) Jackson all of Americus, Georgia.