Sister Willie Bell Cooper, the daughter of the late George and Vera Barber, was born on April 28, 1948, in West Point, Georgia. She departed this life on May 22, 2022 at her residence in Valley, Alabama. Bell, (as everyone called her), attended Harrison High School in West Point, GA and was a member of the graduating class of 1966. During her high school years she was a standout basketball player. She entered the work force in 1968, working for WestPoint Stevens Finishing Plant in Valley, Alabama and retired after 39 years of service.

In 1970, Bell met MacArthur and after 2 years of dating, they tied the knot in marriage on March 10, 1972. The highlight of her life happened in 1978, when after a year of investigating, questioning and searching the scriptures, she obeyed the Truth of the Gospel and was added to the Church of Christ in Lanett, Alabama. In 1988, her husband and her took on the Lord’s work in Smiths Station, Alabama at the Motts Church of Christ. Working beside her husband, she was a Bible teacher and Speaker at Ladies day events and most of all a dedicated and faithful Christian up until the time of her death. She loved to sing and was a member of the Motts Acapella Singers. She has indeed been a faithful soldier in God’s army and will truly be missed.

She was preceded in death by her two sons, Cedrick and MacArthur, II; her parents; three sisters, Ruby Fears, Mary Ganues and Shelby Barber and one brother, George Barber, Jr.

She leaves to mourn her passing, a loving and devoted husband of 52 plus years, three children, Jerald (Cherry) McLemore (Grayson, GA), Kenneth Eric (Lisa) Cooper I (Columbus, GA), Angela (Gary) Garvin (Smyrna, GA); 12 grandchildren, Kenneth Eric II (Bre) Cooper, Candis K. Cooper, Kyra Miliam Cooper, Kevion Cooper, Kevontae (Destiny) Cooper, Jonathan McLemore, Antasia Cooper, Darius and Jared Garvin, Caleb Hanks, Octavia (Jazphur) Dixon, Jacob Cole, six great-grand children, Kensley, Demi, Kennedi, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Elijah; three sisters, Bettye Nettles, Louise Reed, Margaret DeVance; one brother, Greg (Nan) Barber; sister-in-law, Shelly (Anthony) Johnson, Lexington KY; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Cooper will be held on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. EST from the Mott Church of Christ, Smith Station, AL with Bro. Elliott Glasgow, Eulogist, Bro. Joseph Myles, Bro. Carter Ross, Jr and Bro. Jerome Gilmore, Assisting.

Interment will follow in the the Roe Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, West Point(Whitesville Community), GA. At the family’s request there will not be a public viewing.

Final Arrangement is entrusted to M. W. Lee Mortuary of West Point, GA.