Dorothy Elizabeth Cooper

Dorothy Elizabeth Cooper (nee Lewis) was born to the late Joseph and Louise Demery Lewis on May 25, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the fifth child and fourth daughter of ten siblings. Sadly, Dorothy and her siblings lost both of their parents at an early age.

Dorothy was educated in the Philadelphia public school system and was a high school graduate.

Dorothy met, fell in love, and married Joseph Cooper, Jr. (from South Carolina) on May 23, 1952. They enjoyed married life, going to parties and loved attending live boxing matches. From this joyous union their only child, Gigi was born. Joe "Coop" as she affectionately called him preceded her in death, in April 1974. Dorothy held several jobs, among them was Sears & Roebuck and Whitman Chocolates. She spent her years before retirement working for the School District of Philadelphia from which she retired in 1997. Dorothy was baptized as an adult under the Baptist religion and loved to serve. She was blessed with the gift of Helps. If you were ill, feeling under the weather and Dorothy knew it, she would be knocking at your door ready to be of service. If Dorothy recognized a need that she could fulfill or be of service, she was there ready to help. She also was a firecracker and didn't take stuff from anyone, it didn't matter who you were. She didn't mind telling you how she felt and wouldn't hesitate to do so. She loved her family, and her family loved her dearly. Dorothy was extremely close to her sister Mary. They both loved to go shopping, travel, and take long road trips together.

Dorothy loved bible study, baking, music, knitting, crocheting, and completing word search booklets. She loved playing Pinochle and Pokeno. She volunteered for the School District of Philadelphia after retirement.

Dorothy will be missed by many. Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory; her daughter, Gigi, son-in-law Wayne Gaffney; grandchildren Christopher J. Cooper of Smyrna, GA, Abriana G. Gaffney of New York, and Matthew W. Gaffney of Decatur, GA; great-grandchildren Christopher J. Cooper, II and Blake J. Cooper; sister Mary Ellis; brother James Lewis; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many family members, and friends. Her siblings Betty, Helen, Joseph, Shirley, Ruth, Jeannie, and Naomi, all preceded her in death.