Audrey Mae Cooper

Audrey Mae James Cooper, age 84, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, March 12, 2015 at 1:45p.m., in Upper Marlboro, MD. Beloved wife of 51 years to the late Melvin J. Cooper, Sr. Devoted mother of Margie Washington of York County, VA, Michael and Sidney Cooper of Upper Marlboro, MD, and Melvin Cooper, Jr. of Avondale, AZ. Daughter of the late Patrick and Margie James of Gretna, LA. Sister of Marian Steib, Eloise Myre, Marva Magee, Charles, Glynn, and Aldon James and the late Helen Crawford, Margie Rose, Oscar, Monroe, Patrick and Godfrey James. Mother-in-law of Brenda Johnson-Cooper and Joe Washington; also survived by 4 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Audrey was born December 26, 1930 in Gretna, Louisiana. She attended McDonogh 27 Elementary School and L.B. Landry High School, where she was a standout athlete. She played Varsity Basketball and ran track. She was Valedictorian of her class. She attended St. Paul Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a junior usher. She married Melvin on 11 November 1950 at Andrews Field, Maryland. As a military wife, Audrey lived and raised her family in Victorville and Fairfield, California; Washington, D.C.; vreux, France; Brington, England; Forestville and Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Audrey did not work outside the home until 1968 - after her youngest child was school age. She worked several different Civil Service positions, retiring in 1987. In retirement, she was a volunteer at the Andrews AFB hospital and the SHARE Food Network of the Catholic Charities. She received awards and recognition for her altruism in both positions. Relatives and friends of the family, also priest and parishioners of All Saints Catholic Church and neighboring churches are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at All Saints Catholic Church, 1441 Teche St. Algiers, LA on Friday, March 20, 2015 at 1:00p.m. Father Peter Weiss, celebrant Viewing/Rosary will begin at 12 Noon Interment: St. Bartholomew Cemetery- Algiers, LA Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service 230 Monroe St. Gretna, LA To view and sign the guestbook, please go to www.davismortuaryservice.com