Margaret Williams Cooper was born on January 30, 1921 in Duplin. North Carolina to Royal and Maggie Frank Williams. Though January 31, 2021 will be etched in our minds, let us not forget that God did something great on January 30, 1921 when she was born. As a child, Margaret was interested in learning to read and write, but was forced to set books aside to help her family survive during the Great Depression by picking cotton and tobacco on a plantation in North Carolina. As a child, she recalled how difficult it was to pull the cotton off the briars and had many days where her hands would be left bloodied from the hard labor. Little did she know that God was preparing that little girl with the long pigtails and calloused hands for the work of God in her later years of life. In the 1940’s, Margaret relocated to Richmond Virginia and married Van Junius Cooper on February 7, 1942. During their 46 years of marriage, they were blessed with three children: Maggie, Tyrone and Vanessa. Margaret was a loving mother, aunt and grandmother. In addition, to devoting her life to raising her children, she played an instrumental role in the upbringing of her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In the 1960’s, Margaret was invited to the Glorious Church of God in Christ under the pastorate of the late Robert T. Moore. She received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and pledged to serve God even if it meant she had to walk alone. She often testified about how she would catch two buses to go to prayer services with baby Vanessa. Her faith and dedication to the church led her husband to later join as well. Margaret was active in the church as an usher, cook, missionary and whatever her hands could find to do. Her servitude was the foundation for her ministry of preaching, and she was later ordained as an Evangelist. She was appointed as the Assistant Pastor to the late Maudell Dillard and together they would work together for the next 30 years preaching and teaching to the souls of men and women. Evangelist Margaret Cooper was known as a fiery preacher conducting local revivals, and too much amazement, she did not let her feet rest on her laurels but instead traveled to church in West Virginia, Delaware, Ohio, Mississippi and Alabama to encourage the women and men to stay with God the trials and tribulations that many African Americans were facing during the Civil Rights Movement and the controversial Vietnam War. Evangelist Cooper was recognized as a diligent worker and was designated as the State Missionary President of Virginia. She was passionate about mentoring young women and set a precedent for women obtaining leadership roles in the church. After her exemplary service as the State President of Virginia, she was appointed as the National President of the Missionary Auxiliary at the Glorious Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of the late Bishop Perry Lindsay, Sr. Evangelist Cooper was known as someone who lived what she preached. In June of 2000, Evangelist Margaret Cooper was officially ordained as Senior Pastor of the Glorious Church of God in Christ No. 1. She embraced this role and prioritized training and preparing ministers for the work of the Lord, while overseeing her flock. Her passionate teaching on Tuesday nights was often the highlight for members as they knew to be prepared for Pastor Cooper to ask questions about their faith while educating the congregation on the word of God. Pastor Cooper remained faithful for the next ten years, and continued to give her time, talents, finances and spiritual guidance to those in need. She is known for singing one of her favorite songs by Bishop Ronald E Brown, “there’s a storm out on the ocean and it’s moving this old way, if your soul’s not anchored in Jesus, you will surely drift away.” She was steadfast, unmovable and always abounding un the work of the Lord. Even as her health began to decline, she continued to preach and teach from her bed or chair. After accomplishing many achievements, her final goal was to reach 100 years of life. As one well known song by Hezekiah Walker goes, “Lord I’m runnin’ tryin to make one hundred because Ninety-nine and a half won’t do.” Pastor Cooper never did anything halfway, the goal was set, and she was determined to make 100 and she did! She was predeceased by her husband Van Cooper, Mother Maggie Frank Williams, father Royal Williams, daughter Maggie Thornhill, Sisters Luberta Williams and Shirley Temple Carroll, brother Leroy Williams and grandson Michael Thornhill. She leaves to cherish her memory her son Tyrone Van Cooper (Debra), devoted daughter Vanessa Thomas (William) 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 25 great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, son-inlaw Robert L. Thornhill, devoted cousin George Williams and many spiritual children.
Processional-Reverend Dr. Wayne Thornhill Prayer-Reverend Haney Thomas Scripture: Old Testament -Pastor Debra Jackson NewTestament -Bishop Kelvin Chesson Selection- Sweeping Through the City Reflections limited to 1 minute Obituary-Shikira Mack Letters of Reflection, Cards & Acknowledgments-Pastor Monica swarez Remarks: Pastor Deborah Jackson Bishop Morris Mahoney General Bishop Azel Colston Selection-Melissa Engman (Storm out on the Ocean) Eulogy-Bishop Ronald Thornhill Tabernacle of Zion Lawrenceville, VA Recessional Interment Monday February 8, 202111:00 a.in. Maury Cemetery -2700 Maury Street Richmond, VA 23224
Life is but a stopping place, A pause in what’s to be, A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity. We all have different journeys, Different paths along the way, We are were meant to learn some things, But never meant to stay… Our destination is a place, Far greater than we know, For some the journey’s quicker, For some the journey’s slow. An when the journey finally ends, We’ll claim a great reward, And find an everlasting peace, Together with the Lord. Anon