Wilma Cooper

1926 - 2012

Wilma S. Cooper

Clinton

Wilma Stinson Cooper died July 20, 2012, after a prolonged illness. She was born in1926 near Evergreen, Alabama, to Allen Gilbert Stinson and Sarah Pipkin Stinson. She was educated in public schools in Conecuh County: Old Town and Evergreen High. In 1945 she married Joe M. Cooper, who had been serving in the Army's 15th Air Force in Italy during World War II. They were married for 67 years.

Following his discharge, they both enrolled in Mississippi College and majored in English. She graduated Summa Cum Laude. Later, when her husband was a professor and their youngest child entered kindergarten, she returned to Mississippi College and earned a Master of Arts degree in English. She taught at the R & D University Center until it closed.

The Coopers are the parents of four children: Kay (Craig) Gabbert of Nashville TN, Joe Allan Cooper of Tallahassee FL, Carol Cooper (Dave Ramsay) of Kirkland WA, and Bonnie Cooper of Hattiesburg MS. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Rob, Joel and Sarah Gabbert of Nashville TN and Nathan Mussiett of Hattiesburg MS. Mrs. Cooper's brother, Murray Stinson of Brewton AL, predeceased her. She is survived by her sister, Juanita Worlund of Sandestin FL, three nephews, Monty, Rick, and Steve Worlund, and a niece, Marie Clark of Brewton AL, as well as several nieces and nephews by marriage.Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Sunday at Northside Baptist Church in Clinton. Graveside services and burial will be held at the old Clinton Cemetery, College St., on Monday, July 23 at 10:00am, The Reverend Linda McComb officiating. The family requests that all guests wear cool, comfortable clothes for the service, and Wilma specified no coats or ties.Pallbearers are Todd Sherwood, Mark McComb, James Cooper, Jimmy Barrentine, Karl Kolb, Rob Gabbert, Joel Gabbert and Mon Mussiett. Honorary pallbearers are Bradley Pope and Phil McCarty. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Hospice Ministries, 450 Towne Center Blvd., Ridgeland, MS, 39157; Stewpot Community Services, 1100 W. Capitol St., Jackson MS, 39203; or any other charity serving the needs of the hungry.