BOBBYE JEAN COOPER

Bobbye Jean Hollins Cooper of Holts Summit, MO, died Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, at her residence. She was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the daughter of Arthur Hollins, Sr., and Irene Carrie Johnson Hollins. She was married on August 10, 1953 in Waggoner, Oklahoma, to Charles Winton Cooper, M.D., who survives at the home. Bobbye joined Morning Star Baptist Church in Muskogee at an early age and maintained her Christian fellowship by becoming a life member of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Church in Jefferson City, Mo. A life long advocate of education, Bobbye received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Lincoln University in Jefferson City. Bobbye completed further graduate work at the University of California, Berkeley. She held several offices in Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. and served in the Womens Auxiliary of the Missouri State Medical Association. She was a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc.; founder of several Contract Bridge organizations; a former board member of the Girl Scouts of America, Inc.; and an avid reader and pianist. Bobbye was known for her business savvy and keen wit, a community activist whose efforts in the seventies allowed the community center and pool to remain open and active for the African American community. She was also renowned for her compassion which led her to volunteer at local schools and hospitals in Jefferson City. Bobbye hosted many functions in her home. It was not uncommon for her to put you to work in her yard followed by a complete meal and grooming. She loved people and people loved her. She was a remarkable woman who forever changed the lives of all she touched. Other survivors include three daughters and their husbands, Dr. Terri Cooper and Horton Colquitt, Birmingham, Alabama; Dr. Janis Kaye and Dr. Frederic Dunn, Gulfport, Miss.; and Dr. Karyl Cooper and Dr. Steven Patten, Atlanta, Georgia; two sons and their wives, Daryl Dean and Linda Cooper, Atlanta, Georgia; and Alan J. and Debra Cooper, Jefferson City; nine grandchildren, Katherine E. Patten; Jonathan Cooper-Colquitt; Felix Charles Dunn; Celeste V. Patten; Thomas S. Patten; Bobby J. Cooper; Charles W. Cooper, II; Maelynn N. Cooper; and Steven Charles Patten; and a host of nieces, nephews, and in-laws. She was preceded in death by one brother, Arthur Hollins, Jr.; one sister, Helen Simon; and one step-mother, Verna Mae Hollins. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005, at Quinn Chapel AME Church with the Rev. Freda Cash Bady officiating. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16th, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested Lincoln University Foundation Scholarship Fund in the name of Bobbye Jean Cooper. Those wishing to send condolences or tributes to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com.