Memorial services for Martha Mouzone Cooper, mother of Earl “Skip” Cooper, II, president and CEO of the Black Business Association (BBA), will be held at First A.M.E. Church in Oakland on Thursday, Apr. 3, at 11 a.m.
Martha Cooper was born on June 1, 1921 in Manning, S.C., but relocated with her Aunt Emma to Susanville, Calif. At age 18, she moved to Oakland where she met Earl Cooper—who she married in 1939—and to this union were born four children: Eleanor Mae, Barbara Jean, Earl, Jr. (Skippy) and Charles Bruce.
A devoted wife and mother, Martha was very active in her children’s extracurricular activities, including the Boy Scouts and the PTA.
For many years, Martha was a housewife, until she later took employment with Kaiser Permanente, where after twenty years of service she retired in 1983.
Martha was a faithful member of First A.M.E. Church for more than seventy years. She served on the Usher Board, sang in the choir and participated in numerous church committees.
Martha was also a fantastic cook known for her delicious desserts, including cakes, chocolate chip cookies and her specialty, “Nut Bars.”
Martha’s beloved husband Earl, known to his grandchildren as “Daddy O,” passed away in 1978, followed by her youngest son Charles Bruce in 1986.
Martha is survived by three children: Eleanor Mae, Barbara Jean, and Earl Jr. (Skip); seven grandchildren: Debra, Rosalind, David, Kenya, Amber, Dawn and Evan, 11 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her family friends and loved ones.
For more information call the BBA offices at (323) 291-9334.
