Willie B. (Hawthorne) Cooper, 79, of Waco, Texas, returned to the arms of our Savior, peacefully surrounded by her loving family, on September 27, 2022.
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2022 at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco
Service: A home going service to celebrate her life will be held at Lake Shore Funeral Home on Monday, October 3,2022 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Steven Nickerson officiating.
Interment: Little Tehaucana Cemetery
Willie was born May 30,1943 in Waco, Texas to W.B. Hawthorne and Violetta Franklin Hawthorne. In 1962, Willie graduated from Dunbar High School in West, Texas and continued to Paul Quinn College in Waco, TX to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. Willie spent several decades in education ending her teaching career in Mt. Calm ISD in Texas. On January 3,1969 she married Walter Cooper. Walter and Willie spent their lives raising two beautiful sons. In 1979 Willie returned to school and completed her Master of Science in Education degree at Baylor University 1980. She spent her life doing what she loved, educating children and attending Little Tehuacana Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Cooper in 1990; her parents, W.B. and Violetta Hawthorne; her sister, Mae Dell Hawthorne Searcy, and her brothers, Larry Hawthorne and Gary Hawthorne.
She is survived by her children, Stuart Cooper (Patricia) of Waco, TX, and Steven Cooper of Houston, TX; her grandchildren, Nicole Robitaille, Ariana Gutierrez (Dominick), Ashley Brown (Dustin); 5 great-grandchildren; sisters, Florine Hawthorne, Linda Burks, and Brenda Greene; brothers, Jimmie Hawthorne (Carol), Earlie Hawthorne (Vesta) and Jerry Hawthorne. She will be missed by many other relatives.
Special thanks to her niece, Virginia Hawthorne, and Amedisys Hospice for the care they provided.
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
To Ashley Cooper & her Family, our prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God have his loving arms around all of you today & the days ahead. Rest in Peace Willie Cooper.
We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Willie passing. You all are in our prayers, and we love you.
Aunt Margaret, Walt, Jackie, Dominic, AJ and Paddy- “The Cooper’s”
I enjoyed working for many years with Mrs. Cooper at Mt. Calm ISD. She was a very sweet person.
My condolences on the loss of this wonderful person and teacher. She taught my brother, sister and myself at Mount Calm Elementary. She was one of the most excellent educators I knew. Her teaching techniques were top notch and her love for her students was admirable. I’m very saddened for your loss, but I am so glad I was one of her students.
Mrs. Cooper was one of my teachers at Mount Calm in the late 90s. She truly was a special lady. I pray she knew that she made a difference in her life to so many students.
My condolences to her family, prayers for peace and understanding at this time.
My condolence to the Cooper and Hawthorne families at this time. My prayer is that God will give you peace and comfort at this time. May God continue to bless comfort you.
I taught with Willie during her first teaching position in Caruthersville, Missouri. Our families were friends and we became friends and housemates. She was a very dedicated and creative teacher, that loved her students.
Stuart, Steven and All the Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. We know she was a treasure to you and all of the family. She gave much of yourself to teaching and always loving her family.
It is our prayer that her spirit finds peace and love as she goes home to see the Lord.
May God’s comfort come upon all of you at this time.
Love,
Dorothy Cooper, Paul J Cooper III. and Terry J Cooper
Mrs Cooper was my favorite teacher in Mt Calm. She was such a blessing to all of us that she taught . So sorry for your family’s loss
Sorry for your loss. My condolences to the family and prayers for you all. Mrs. Cooper was a great teacher and loving person. Thanks for all lives she impacted.
Condition from the Montgomery family.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mrs. Cooper’s passing. She was my teacher for multiple classes over 4 years at Mt. Calm. I am a middle school teacher now. I hope some of my students remember me as fondly as many of hers remember her. Prayers for your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Cooper taught me in several classes, but my most fond memories include her teaching music. To this day, I still know the words to all the songs we sang and can hear her voice leading us. She was a wonderful person and teacher.
I was saddened to hear of Willie’s passing. She was such a sweet humble spirited person. Our families were very close and related in some ways as well. I’m gonna miss our conversations when we would meet up at the grocery store. 🙂. Praying that God comfort and strengthen you all during this time and in the years ahead. Elaine Williams Thomas & Family, Waco, Texas
It is with deepest condolence for the loss of your loved one, please know our family’s hearts are with your family. May GOD give you all peace in knowing that she is resting in heaven; our prayers are with you all.
The Dancer Family, Axtell Texas