MARJORIE B. COOPER
Born in Columbia, Mississippi, September 3, 1917, "Marge" Burkett graduated from high school in McGee, MS and attended Mississippi Southern University where she was honored as its beauty queen, a distinction she wore well during the rest of her life! A favorite aunt and uncle had relocated to Tulsa and invited her to spend a summer with them in1938; she never left Tulsa, where she began working with British American Oil Co., took flying lessons (lacking only a few hours to being licensed) and met Harold Cooper, marrying him on her 21st birthday. A honeymoon to Cuba and two sons later, Marge used her intelligence, graciousness and generosity to provide a loving home for her family and as a wonderful hostess in the genuine southern style of manners and dignity throughout her life, exhibiting her passion for beautiful things and elegance in her home décor and clothing. Together with her husband, she had many wonderful and exciting adventures, making successful real estate investments and traveling the world, including visits to Europe, the great pyramids of Egypt, Antarctica, and most everywhere in between; her favorite was a three week safari to Africa during which they stayed in a room that was literally in the treetops above a wild animal watering hole, watching the parade of jungle animals coming and going all night. Marge was an active volunteer and spent many hours serving on the boards of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary, Tulsa Opera Guild, Tulsa Philharmonic, Children's Medical Center, playing bridge every chance she got, and participating in her neighborhood garden club; she used to say she solved many problems while gardening and digging in the dirt! At her 90th Birthday party, a festive group of friends and family celebrated a distinguished life but shortly thereafter, she became ill and lived in nursing facilities until her passing on Sunday, February 15, 2015, at age 97. Predeceased by husband Harold Cooper and most of her generation of family and friends, she is survived by two sons, Hal Cooper, Bill Cooper and wife Kathy, all of Tulsa, three grandsons, Lance of Phoenix, AZ, Christopher of Memphis, TN, and Doug of Menifee, CA, and their families. A double service is planned for a later date in her honor, a memorial and burial of her ashes at the Chapel at Memorial Park, and a celebration of her life on Grand Lake where she had many fond memories and the favorite destination spot for her family. She did, and always found a way to, have fun and enjoy her life to the fullest extent. We love and will miss you terribly and now you can rest in peace forever, our mom, grandmother, friend, and mentor. Services are pending. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com