Minnie Owens Cooper

A phenomenal woman, mother, sister, friend, and servant. Minnie was the daughter of Herman (Pluckum) Owens and Beatrice Crews. She grew up under the care of her stepmother, Louise (Bunch) Owens, and her grandmother, Bettie Harris Williamson. Minnie's early years were tough, marked by many hardships and instability in her home life. Her world changed after she moved in with her father, Bunch, and Ma Bettie. Minnie thrived and became a model teenager and student. She was always a woman of faith, beginning her journey at Mount Olive Baptist Church. As a teenager, she joined the Holy Temple Christian Church, where she remained until she relocated to Washington, DC, and continued her faith walk at Saint John's Baptist Church. She later changed her membership to the Mount Jezreel Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.   

Minnie graduated from Henderson Institute with the 1958 class, along with her crew: Hermenia Jones, Shirley Mason, Myrtle and Jake Davis, John and Emmanuel Crosslin, and others. She was a very dedicated friend. While in high school, as a home economics student, she demonstrated a gift for sewing. After high school, she attended the School of Design in Raleigh, NC. She became a master seamstress and went on to design and sew garments for family and friends. Minnie loved to cook, and she and Tommy enjoyed hosting family and friends around Minnie's excellent food. She was a Life Time Member of the Kennedy Center, which she loved, and she loved the arts and music, with Johnny Mathis and Wintley Phipps among her favorite artists.   

After giving birth to her son, Keith Stanley Owens, Minnie relocated to the Washington, DC area and continued to raise her son with the assistance of her father and stepmother. Minnie began a new life and life pursuits in the District of Columbia Public Schools. During this part of her life, she met and married the love of her life, Thomas Cecil Cooper, Jr. Their devotion to one another lasted until Tommy passed away in 1993. She was employed at Tacoma Park Elementary School for over 30 years as the administrative assistant to the principal. Minnie earned awards for her reliability and commitment to both teachers and students. Following her retirement from public education, she took a receptionist position with Digene Private Research Company.

Minnie, being the woman of faith that she was, firmly established herself in her church as a very resolute and dependable member. She joined many of the church's ministries. Her legacy in life was serving the sick and aging in her church and community. It was during this worship and service that she met Debbie Moon (Marvin), Cathy, and James Louviere.

Cathy Louviere and Debbie Moon became the daughters and sisters she never had. Minnie had unwavering faith and confidence in Debbie and Cathy. Cathy became Minnie's trusted medical advisor during her most challenging health crisis. Debbie assisted Minnie in her household and personal affairs. They were committed to Minnie and loved them and their families. We, as Minnie's family, will be forever grateful to them for their support of our loved one.

Minnie leaves to cherish one son, Keith Stanley Owens (Luetricia) of Henderson, NC; grandchildren, Tiffany Williamson (Marvin II) of Tampa, FL, and Nile Owens of Raleigh, NC; brother, Dr. Abdul Sm Rasheed (Marolyn) of Henderson, NC; and stepson, Jerome A. Cooper of Forestville, MD: four great grandchrildren Nile Jr., Sais, Tajjany, Marvin III. She was a resolute aunt to Cheneta, Ahmed, Anwar, Iman-N-Lah, and Samir. She adored Jada, Sarai, Alyse, Lynox, Jordan, and Jakobi.

If Minnie touched your life, she gave you something: a moral compass (a woman of faith), unconditional love, sage advice, tasty food, service, laughter, and joy! We thank God for sister Minnie; she has earned God's grace and mercy!

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