Mildred Overton Cooper

Mildred Overton Cooper passed from this life to be with her Lord on Memorial Day, May 26 2008, following a brief stay at Cape Fear Hospital, Wilmington, NC.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charlie Lockhart Cooper, who passed in 1987.

Mildred was born October 1, 1910, to Charlie Wilson Overton and Sarah Elizabeth Mann Overton in Creswell, NC. She had seven siblings, all predeceased.

She is survived by her two children, James Leary Cooper, of Colorado Springs, CO and Charlie C. Lea, of Hampstead, NC (she and husband Bob Lea are formerly from Danville, VA). Also surviving “Mimi” are her six grandchildren: Robert L. Lea III, Janet Lea Minter, David Randolph Lea, Johnny Cooper, Nancy Gail Cooper, and James L. Cooper Jr. Mildred also had 21 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

“Her children rise up, and call her blessed” (Proverbs 31:28).

Mildred graduated from high school in Columbia, NC, where she was captain of the girl’s basketball team. She and husband Charlie moved to Norfolk, VA, where they resided for a period of thirty-three years. She worked as a “Unit Secretary” at Norfolk General Hospital, from which she retired after 30 years. Soon after her retirement, she and her husband moved to Danville, VA, in 1978.

Mildred was a devoted Christian who inspired others with her gifts of leadership and service unto others. Her life was focused upon her family, her church, and a host of community service organizations to which she belonged. For example, Mildred started singing at the age of five in her parents’ church, something she continued to do throughout her life. In Danville, she sang with the Senior Citizens’ Choir for nearly twenty years, and also taught various Arts & Crafts classes at the Senior Citizen’s Center. Mildred chaired many committees within the Women’s Auxiliary of the Danville Salvation Army, most notably their annual fund-raising dinner, the smorgasbord.
Mildred moved to Hampstead, NC, with family in 2006, where she resided at the Woodbury Wellness Center until the time of her passing. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandparent, and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

The family will receive friends at Barker Funeral Home, North Main Street, Danville from 12:30-2:00 on Saturday, May 31 2008. Immediately following, at 2:00 PM, a public Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held in the Barker Funeral Home Chapel.

The family would also like to thank the compassionate and caring staff on the 2nd floor of the Cape Fear Hospital, the Woodbury Wellness Center, and the Lower Cape Fear Hospice.

The family also requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Lower Cape Fear Hospice 2222 S. 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28401. 910.791.9099 handled local arrangements.