Mary Lizzie Cooper

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs 3: 5-6 On December 15, 1945, the late Watson and Mila Jones Cooper added a blessing to the historical community of Coopertown, in Gough (Burke County), Georgia. Mary Lizzie Cooper, affectionately known to everyone as Ice Cream, was the fourth of seven children. Contrary to society’s stigmas about middle children, Mary’s nickname proved otherwise. Even though she preferred simplicity, Ice Cream’s admirable attributes could never go unnoticed; her optimistic aura, sweet spirit and articulate expressions effortlessly inspired others to do their best! Three of her loving and protective brothers preceded her in death: Parrish Cooper, Willie Cooper and Daniel Cooper. Educated in both Georgia and Florida school systems, Mary attended Waynesboro Elementary, Silas X. Floyd Elementary and Charles T. Elementary School in Augusta, Georgia. Nurtured by her maternal grandmother, Ice Cream quickly learned the difference between working hard and hardly working while picking cotton with her grandmother. During playtime, she enjoyed emulating the role of a teacher and making mudpies with her older sister Thelma. Once the Cooper family migrated to Florida in 1957, Mary attended Charles R. Drew Elementary School, Coleman Elementary and Carter G. Woodson Elementary School, in Pompano Beach. During breaks, she either picked beans or babysat for mothers who worked laborious hours in the fields. In 1965, she became a proud graduate of Blanche Ely High School. At an early age, Ice Cream accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, at Second New Hope Baptist Church, in Augusta, Georgia, under the leadership of the late Rev. Frank Butler. Later, she joined Full Gospel Christian Center in Pompano Beach. Following, she was an active member of Cathedral Church of God in Deerfield Beach, under the leadership of Bishop Billy Gowdy. Mary was an independent thinker and self-starter. Immediately after graduating from high school, she worked and saved for five years to financially support herself through college. Her three-year collegiate matriculation began at Texas College, in Tyler, Texas, and ended in Miami. In 1971, she was initiated into the Delta Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, on the campus of Florida Memorial College. In 1973, Mary earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Memorial College. Shortly thereafter, she began working for Broward County Public Schools. Her childhood role as a teacher had come to fruition. Mary began her professional career as a third-grade teacher at Cresthaven Elementary School. She remained with Broward County Public Schools until retirement. After retiring, she became a crossing guard for several years. Mary was a devoted Life Member, Golden Soror and current General Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was a Charter Member of the Kappa Kappa Omega Chapter in Pompano Beach, where she also served as the Chapter’s first Vice President. Ice Cream was a thoughtful, loving sister, aunt, soror and friend. She cherished her family, church, classmates, sorority and community. She also enjoyed gardening and crocheting. She treated everyone she encountered with dignity and respect and gave unselfishly. On Friday, November 17, 2023, a voice spoke to her saying, “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.” – Proverbs 16:3. While humming Lucinda Moore’s, “Safe in His Arms,” she reflected on precious moments with loved ones who preceded her in death: her maternal grandmother, Amanda Jones and her sister, Thelma Bay Bay Cooper Griffin, and her brothers, Parrish Cooper, Willie Cooper and Daniel Cooper. At last, she began singing, “Take Me to the King.” Ice Cream’s life will forever be treasured by the lives she touched. Those left to cherish her loving and precious memories are her surviving siblings: Watson Cooper, Thomas (Patricia) Cooper and Marie Cooper; two sisters-in-law: Suzanne Cooper and Linda Faye Cooper; and a multitude of nephews, nieces, cousins, caring friends, Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Blanche Ely High School’s Class of 1965.

Mary Lizzie Cooper

December 15, 1945 - November 20, 2023