Dorothy R. Cooper (Ponder) was born on March 17, 1925 in Seminole, County Oklahoma to Mr. Frank J. Ponder Sr. and Lillie Mae Edwards-Ponder. She was the ninth child of a family of fourteen children.



Dorothy's elementary education started in Seminole and then later in Holdenville, Oklahoma. She graduated from Douglass High School in Wewoka, Oklahoma in 1945.



At an early age she accepted Christ at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Wewoka, Oklahoma.


Dorothy moved her membership from Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Wewoka to St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, where she served as a Deaconess and Jr. Department Sunday School teacher. She left St. John Missionary Baptist Church to follow her son to Prospect Missionary Baptist Church, where he became the Pastor. Dorothy was a Trustee, Deaconess, and very active with the Angel Food Network.

Dorothy was the wife of the late Lee E. Cooper Sr. and to that union there were three children Lee Vonzetta Cooper, Gayona L. Cooper, and Lee E. Cooper Jr. She helped to provide for her family working as a Item Manager at Tinker Air Force Base, before she retired in 1989 after 41 years of committed service.

Mother Cooper dedicated her life to the service of empowering youth through academia and mentorship via A+ Academics Association, Inc. Dorothy was very involved in the community and was a member of the Lilly of the Valley Chapter #7 where she held many leadership presentations. Ultimately Worthy Matron from 1976-1980, Past Most Ancient Matron William Taylor Court #46 Heroines of Jerricho (Leberta R. Glover #48), Past Loyal Lady Ruler Dorces Assembly #41 Order of the Golden Circle, Past Illustrious Commandress Alaraf Court #69, and P.P.C. Fannie G.W. McDonald Guild #1. She worked side by side with the Grand chapter as Grand Electa, Grand Ester, Grand Flag Bearer. Past deputy of the Oasis, Past President of Matrons and Patrons Council, Past first vice President of Oklahoma City Northeast Lioness Club, Past President of the How & Why Club, Past Vice President of Southeast Booster Club.

After 91 seasons with us on Earth, Dorothy R. Cooper, with her loving family by her side, dozed into tranquil peace of eternal slumber on Thursday morning, September 29, 2016. She was greeted at Heaven's gate by her mother, father, four sisters and seven brothers, as well as, her husband Lee E. Cooper, daughter Gayona L. Washington and grandson Harvey L. Gordon III (Red).

Those that wait on the Lord; her loving and devoted son, Dr. Lee E. Cooper Jr. (Nikki), loving and devoted daughter Lee Vonzetta Gordon; granddaughters Carla M. Gordon-Smith, Karen T. Davis (Cornelius), Kaci Craft; grandsons C.J. Washington III, Lee E. Cooper III, Derrick P. Cooper; her great grandchildren, Toon, Tynece, Christian, Antela, Aaron, Andrew, Ariana, Coren, Crimson, Cayren and Leah; six great great grandchildren and a host of relative and friends.

Her Celebratory Service of Memory will be Tuesday October 4, 2016 at 11AM at Prospect Baptist Church located at 2809 N. Missouri Avenue in Oklahoma City. Dr. K. Gerone Free, will officiate and her son, Dr. Lee E. Cooper, Jr., will deliver the Eulogy.

The Christian Committal will follow in Trice Hill Cemetery in Oklahoma City.

Visitation will be Monday October 3, 2016 from 3PM until 6PM at Prospect Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

The Eastern Star Ceremony will begin Monday at 6PM at the church.