Joann Cooper

OBITUARY

Mrs. Joann Frierson Cooper passed away peacefully on February 12, 2021 at Community Hospice of North Florida. Born on May 9, 1939 in Georgetown, South Carolina to the union of the late Eddie and Leola Frierson she was the eldest of eight children. One sister and one brother, Ola Russ and Harold Frierson preceded her in death. Her husband, Samuel Cooper of 56 years also preceded her in death.

At an early age she accepted Christ and was a member of Bethel AME of Plantersville, S.C. Those who knew her would say she was very active from the choir, secretary, and any position needed because she was always willing to work. She later became a member of Mt. Olive AME on Jacksonville’s Eastside.

She was educated in the Georgetown, S.C. school system and in 1956 graduated from Choppee High School. She took a year off to travel and visit her uncle Willie Frierson in California. She was later accepted into Walkers Business and Technical College in Jacksonville where she pursued a 2 year program and graduated in 1959 with a Diploma in Executive Secretarial. There she met the love of her life the late Samuel T. Cooper.

On June 23, 1960 she was united in holy matrimony to Samuel T. Cooper, to this union two children were born, Roxann Cooper and Valerie Cooper. Joann was known for her outstanding administrative skills. She could type over 90 words a minute. She was extremely proficient in Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and the old Lotus Notes and WordPerfect. This skill took her to a 27 year government career with the city of Jacksonville. A civil servant, she started her career as a customer service representative in 1974 with the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA), then the Private Industry Council and later with the Traffic/Engineering Office before retiring in 2001.

Joann leaves to cherish her fond memories, daughters Roxann Cooper (Upper Marlboro, Maryland) and Valerie Cooper (Jacksonville, Florida); God-daughter Anita Green of Jacksonville, Florida; Brothers Eddie (Dorcas) Frierson of Orlando, Florida and Bishop Joseph Frierson Sr. of Raleigh, North Carolina; Sisters Evelyn Dockery of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Earline Whittaker of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Fleata Frierson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sister in-law Thelma Cooper of Daytona Beach, Florida, best friend and college roommate Margaret Wallace of Miami and a host of many other nieces and nephews, loving relatives and friends.

The funeral service for Mrs. Joann Frierson Cooper will be held 11:00 am Friday, February 19th, 2021 at the Samuel C. Rogers, Jr. Memorial Chapel, 4315 North Main Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206. The visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 18th, 2021 at the Funerals by T.S. Warden, 4315 North Main Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206. Interment in Jacksonville National Cemetery. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234.