Dorothy Cooper was born Dorothy Ben Fowler in Healdton, OK, on Nov 17, 1926. She was the fourth child of Thell Boaz Fowler and Willie Severra Bagwell Fowler. She graduated from high school in 1945 from Levelland High School. While working in the local Ration Office in Levelland she met Garvin Cooper, the love of her life. They married June 1, 1946 and were married for 51 years.
Her family moved frequently in her youth as her father worked in the oil fields: She lived in many towns in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Her parents were adamant that the children be in school and church from their first arrival in the new location. Dorothy would tell the story of her father moving them on a Saturday so they could attend church on Sunday. Meeting new people and making friends was easy for Dorothy, and it was a gifting that lasted her a lifetime. Even as Alzheimers claimed her memories her social skills remained strong.
Dorothy loved the Lord. She joined the Methodist Church and was active in the church wherever they lived. She was a member of Sunset Methodist Church Pasadena and later attended First Church of the Nazarene in Lubbock.
Dorothy was a skilled organizer, whether it was her home, her children, or her husband! She also excelled in secretarial skills: typing and shorthand, and was an Executive Secretary for Texas International Airlines for 20 years. Her handwriting was beautiful and distinctive. Some of her hobbies included sewing, cooking, needlework, quilting, crossword puzzles, and playing card games.
Dorothy, known as “Dot” to some friends, and “Dori” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loved playing card games of all kinds, but especially bridge. She would play with great intensity (even solitaire could be a serious matter!) but somehow managed to cultivate friendships during games. When reflecting on her early years of marriage, she would share about the many card games the young newlyweds would play on base, making multiple pots of coffee over the same grounds because that’s all they could afford. And she did love coffee…She also loved cooking: meat loaf, swiss steak, fried shrimp…and of course desserts: her favorite!
In their retirement years Dorothy and Garvin loved traveling, particularly camping in their Airstream. They would pack up their Suburban and their Airstream and attend Air Force reunions, visit their children and grandchildren living all over the US and to unique spots on both coasts. She and Garvin also traveled internationally to Venezuela, Italy, England, and she alone travelled to Singapore for her first grandson’s birth.
She and Garvin spent many of their married years living in Pasadena, TX, from 1951-1986, and made many life-long friendships there. She loved family, and loved when grandkids came to visit.
Dorothy loved people, and loved getting people together, especially long-time friends from Levelland High School, class of 1945. For their 50th High School Reunion Dorothy contacted everyone in the class who was still living, and brought them together for a celebration dinner. She enjoyed entertaining, and engaging in lively conversation. Dorothy was strong willed often citing the fact that she was the fourth child of five and had to fight for her rights, and sometimes literally a place in the bed she shared with her sisters!
Dorothy was an incredibly strong woman. After Garvin’s death in 1998, she remained at their home in the country for an additional 12 years growing grapes in her vineyard. She fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and did not give in to it easily. Even in the throes of Alzheimer’s she would share stories, recite poems, assist other residents and encourage them and she had a knack for remembering songs no one else ever could remember.
If you knew Dorothy you knew that she was an impeccable dresser, the very definition of a classy lady. When sitting her legs would always be properly crossed, and often swinging to the rhythm of music. Dorothy was very observant, and always liked to be right! She had big beautiful blue eyes that always twinkled, even at the very end of her journey.
She is survived her daughter, Pamela J. Brown (husband Steve) and son, Mark J. Cooper (wife Shelley) of Houston; Grandchildren Sara White of Round Rock, Allison Brown of Hutto, Emily L. Fernandez (husband Jaime) of Fort Worth, Graham Brown (wife Lisa) of Fort Worth, Keith Cooper (wife Arielle) of St. Petersburg, FL; Brett Cooper (wife Michelle) of Shiro, TX and Jeremy Warwinsky of Rochester, MI; Great grandchildren: Paige White, Ryleigh Brown, Colton White, Nora Fernandez, Lucia Fernandez, Riley Cooper, Kaylin Cooper, Mallorie Cooper, Carson Cooper, her brother Bill Fowler (wife Jean) of China Grove, Tx. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Garvin W. Cooper; brother, Thell Boaz Fowler II, sisters Allie Pearl Miles, and Kathleen Sue McDonald, and grandson David Edwards, Jr.
