It all began in the Fall of 1950 in Oklahoma City, when Lee E. and Dorothy R. Cooper, Sr., celebrated the birth of a baby girl. Arriving on September 25th of that year, they named their new daughter Gayona Linda Cooper.


Her formative years were spent in Oklahoma City, where she attended public school and ultimately graduated from the acclaimed Douglass High School with the proud Class of 1968. She then attended the University of Oklahoma, later finishing at Oklahoma City University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing in 1974.


At a very impressionable age, Gayona realized the importance of a personal relationship with Christ, accepting Him as her Lord and Savior at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Wewoka, Oklahoma. In Oklahoma City, Gayona attended St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Later in life, she united with the Prospect Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, where she was actively involved with several ministries; she served the Lord on the Usher Board and was Director of the Youth Ministry and the Vice-President of the Women's Enrichment Ministry.


Gayona led an active, productive life. Her works were evident through her committment to be a responsible citizen in her community, which led to her receiving many service awards. She was a founding member of the Edmond Multicultural Awareness Club, an organization created for the parents of minority students in Edmond Public Schools.


She was also a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She served as Chapter Advisor for the Iota Omicron Chapter, Oklahoma State Coordinator and most notably, Central Region Director of the Sorority. Gayona was a Golden-life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.


Her Degree in Marketing led to her career in Telecommunications with Southwestern Bell and Nortel in the 1970's. She also worked for Fleming Companies for over 17 years and most recently, as a Telecommunications Manager for the City of Oklahoma City. Gayona lived a full and rich life, always having time for her family, career, sorority and friends. She will be missed by her family, friends and the community to which she gave so much of her time and resources.


After 56 seasons with us on Earth, Gayona L.Washington, with her loving family by her side, dozed into the tranquil peace of eternal rest on Friday evening, April 20, 2007. She was greeted at Heaven's gate by her father, Lee E. Cooper, Sr., and her nephew, Harvey "Red" Gordon, III.


Those that wait on the Lord; her devoted son, C. J. Washington, III; her loving mother, Dorothy R. Cooper; a sister, Lee Vonzetta Hill; a brother, Dr. Lee E. Cooper, Jr.; her nieces, Karen Gordon-Davis and Carla Gordon-Smith; her nephews, Lee E. Cooper, III and Derrick P. Cooper; along with other relatives, friends and sorors who will miss her presence.


The Celebration for Gayona will be on Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. in the Fairview Baptist Church, 1700 N.E. 7th Street in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Reverend J. A. Reed, Jr., Senior Pastor, will officiate and Reverend K. Gerone Free, Pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, will deliver the Eulogy. The Christian Committal will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park, 6001 Grand Boulevard.

You may visit Gayona, as she slumbers at the Prospect Baptist Church, 2809 North Missouri Avenue in Oklahoma City on Friday from 9:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M.

The Alaraf Court # 69 will hold their memorial service beginning at 6:00 P.M. and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will hold their memorial service beginnning at 7:00 P.M., all at the Prospect Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted at the church on Friday.