Obituary of Marie (Johnson) Cooper

Marie (Johnson) Cooper, 96, of Bridgeport, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 20, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 10, 1927 in Grantsville, WV, a daughter of the late Clyde and Iva (Jarvis) Johnson. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Newell Cooper. Marie graduated from high school in Calhoun County. After high school, she lived in Parkersburg, working for the phone company, which is where she met her husband, Newell. The phone company took the young family to Fairmont, Elkins and, eventually, landed them in Bridgeport where they have lived since 1963. Marie had five children, all of whom survive her - Roger Cooper and his wife, Amy Wellman, of Boca Raton, FL; Rodney Cooper of Elkins, WV; Rick Cooper and his wife, Janie, of Canyon, TX; Dan Cooper and his wife, Jami, of Bridgeport; and Cindy Watson and her husband, Chaney, of Clarksburg. As much as Marie adored her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren were her absolute joy. Her surviving grandchildren are Dr. William Rodney Cooper and his wife , A.J. of Selah, WA; John Michael Cooper and his wife, Laura Chu Wiens, of Pittsburgh, PA; Dr. Tyler Cooper and his wife, Emily, of Amarillo, TX; Kori Clements and her husband, George, of Canyon, TX; Adam Cooper and his wife, Veronica Nosik, of Bridgeport; Danielle White and her husband, Garrett, of Bridgeport; Andrea Icenhower and her husband, Michael, of Martinsburg; Brennan Cropp of Bridgeport; Ben Hess of Morgantown; Andy Hess of Bridgeport; and Emily Hess of Morgantown. Her great-grandchildren are Casey Cooper, Kylee Cooper, Gabriel Cooper, Hazel Cooper, Rich Cooper, Claire Cooper, Kate Clements, Royce Clements, Lettie Jane Clements, Orin Musgrave, Silas Musgrave, Brooks White, and Briar White. Marie was so thrilled to recently learn that she was expecting the addition of twins – Tyler Keene Clements and Thomas Newell Clements – to her cadre of great-grandchildren in November. Marie is also survived by her niece, who was very special to her, Lois Kay Morris, and Lois’s husband, Charlie. In addition to her husband, Marie was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Mary Teresa (“Tre”) Cooper. Marie frequently answered the question about whether she worked by saying that she was a mother and a homemaker. While those vocations were important to her, she also worked in polling, market research, and analytics for various businesses such as Harris Polling, Gallup Polls, and the University of Chicago. She travelled around the country interviewing people from all walks of life, and she spent many evenings on the phone doing interviews. Perhaps she did not consider that work as “work” because she was able to talk with interesting people from all over the country, and because she got to do it with her lifelong friend, Charlotte Orahood. In addition to that work, Marie also worked for various businesses as a secret shopper, where she would undertake tasks such as clandestine theft from businesses like grocery stores and then talk with management about loss control measures. Marie also worked in The Film Box for many years. An avid reader, Marie always had a book in her hand, often donating books she loved to the Little Free Library at her son, Dan’s law office in Bridgeport. Marie became fast friends with nearly everyone she met, frequently taking the time to sit, talk, and listen to anyone who crossed her path. If they were not friends when they met, they would be friends by the end of their time together. If you encountered her, you would certainly benefit from her affable spirit, her natural curiosity, her loving kindness, and her wise advice. Though she will be missed, her family and friends are comforted by the assurance that her life was truly wonderful – filled with loving family who often gathered at her home for Sunday dinners, lifelong friends, and plenty of joy and laughter. The family has entrusted the arrangements to Ford Funeral Home, Allen Chapel, 215 East Main Street, Bridgeport, WV 26330. In accordance with Marie’s wishes, she will be cremated. Friends will be received in the funeral home on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 5 pm until 8 pm. A graveside service will be held on Thursday at 10 am in the Bridgeport Cemetery with Reverend Dr. Matthew Paugh officiating. Friends and family may meet at the funeral home by 9:30 am on Thursday to line up for the procession to the graveside. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.