Tommie Lee Ross, lovingly called "Madear" by all who knew and loved her, transitioned peacefully to her heavenly home on July 9, 2023 at the age of 92. Tommie was born on June 16, 1931 to the proud parents of Warren and Mary Ella Ross. She was a member at St. Paul Baptist Church in Humble, Texas where she was Baptized at an early age. Tommie attended early grade school in Humble and later moved to Houston, Texas where she attended Phyliss Wheatley High School in 1946. She continued her education at Texas State University for Negros where she studied Nursing. In 1951, it was renamed Texas Southern University. Tommie later attended and became a member of Gethsemane Church of Christ.
Tommie met her husband Henderson Cooper where they were joined in Holy Matrimony.
To that union they were blessed with nine children, five boys and four girls: Walter, Sandra, Donovan Sr., Ervin, Eartha, Sonya, Calatta, Henderson Jr., and Tommy. Tommie started her career at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Texas where she resided for 13 years before transferring to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Once she completed her tour after 5 years, she returned back to Houston where she continued at St. Joseph Hospital and later pursued Embalming School to become a Mortician where she received her certification.
Tommie retired from Parkway Hospital after 50 years in the field of nursing. After retiring she surrounded herself with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Tommie had a love for gardening, she enjoyed the beauty of planting countless flowers and plants while watching them grow into nature's elegant beauty. Her love for music was always the Gospel, where she would sing aloud, clap, stomp her feet, and Praise God.
Tommie was known for her loving kindness and always helping others. Everyone in her neighborhood for nearly 50 years affectionately called her, "Madear". Tommie's neighbors Rod and Betty Chatman Coleman were her daughter and son next door. Both were her guardian angels.
Tommie was preceded in death by her parents Mary Ella and Warren Ross; Henderson Cooper her Husband, her son Walter Snelgro, her granddaughter Marshamaria Hicks, her brother and sisters: Jessie Lee Ross, John Henry, Oscar Lee, West Delaney, Lawrence Delaney Jr., Robert, Francis Lee Curtis, Earldine Lee, and Mary Lee.
She leaves to cherish her memories with her sister Eva Josephine Ross; her children, Sandra Kizzee, Donovan, Ervin, Eartha Smith (Blane), Sonya West (Donald), Calatta, Henderson (Madeline), Tommy (Vickie). Tommie was blessed with 19 grandchildren, 22 great and 2 great-great grandchildren, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins. Tommie was a beautiful and caring soul. We are so blessed to have had her all these wonderful years as our mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother, neighbor, and Our Champion.
A visitation for Tommie will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Brookside Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 1:00 PM. A burial will occur Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Brookside Memorial Park.
