Obituary for Dona Cooper Dona Maddux Cooper passed away October 18, 2018Dona Faye Maddux Cooper was born March 10th, 1927 in Plad, Missouri on the family farm. She was the first born and only daughter of Ralph Houston Maddux and Fannie Wilson Maddux. Dona’s early childhood was spent on the farm before the family moved to Eldorado, KS.
By the age of around twelve she taught herself how to sew out of necessity. There were never age appropriate clothes for her petite stature. Her writing skills developed early and she was Editor of her high school newspaper and year book.
She was a member of National Honor Society when she graduated from El Dorado High School in 1945 and a member of the Honorary Dramatic Fraternity upon graduation from El Dorado Junior College in 1947. Pittsburgh State University brought her a B.S. in education, Honorary English Fraternity, several theatrical productions and most important her first date with her future husband, Don Cooper, on January 9th 1948. Dona taught English, debate and speech at the Atchison County Community High School from 1949-1950.
On June 4, 1950 she married Donald L. Cooper in the First Nazarene Church in Eldorado, Kansas. The next five years in Kansas saw the arrival of son Chip in 1951, daughters Cathy in 1953 and Cheri in 1955. In 1960 Don and Dona moved to Stillwater for Don’s position with Oklahoma State and in 1961 son Tad was born.
The First Presbyterian Church become their second home as Don and Dona taught a “Presby-Weds” class for young marrieds for 22 years. Dona also served as an Elder and Deacon. She helped initiate a Presbyterian women’s bowling league in 1961 that is still rolling in 2018.
One of her most significant contributions was serving as editor of the church paper, “The Ambassador”, for 26 years. With her tiny stature and her home office in a walk-in-closet she was appropriately named “The Church Mouse”. Mice became the theme of this room, the mouse house, as everyone who knew her gave her gifts of mice filling it from floor to ceiling.
She was affectionately known as “Gramouse” as soon as grandchildren started to arrive. Dona’s volunteer service within the community was extensive as she worked to have a school safety sidewalk district bill passed, served on the Stillwater Hospital Auxiliary, the Stillwater Medical Wives Auxiliary, the University Wives Lahoma Club, Presbyterian Women, “Meals on Wheels” and was a “Head Start” volunteer. Her gift for writing verse and poetry was one of her greatest talents.
She was a member of the Stillwater Writers, Oklahoma Writers Federation, National League of American Pen Women and published in “Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul”, “The Saturday Evening Post”, “The Christian Herald”, “The Christian Mother”, “Doctor’s Wife”, and numerous newspapers. On a personal level she published three poetry books, “Patchwork in Poetry and Verse”, “Pen Points” and “Family Ties” which contain her life’s experiences and family memories. Dona was devoted to God and family.
She served both in an extraordinary manor and blessed everyone she knew with her Christian heart, soul, and beautiful handwritten notes. Her amazing homemade bread and delicious molasses cookies were generously provided to family, friends, church members, OSU athletes and anyone in need. A compassionate heart filled her days with service and kindness.
Dona had four children, Chip and his wife Peggy, Cathy Fowler and her husband Roge, Cheri Conway and her husband Kevin, and Tad and his wife Sarah. She has eight grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. She has two brothers, John Maddux and Terry Maddux.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Donald L. Cooper, parents, Ralph and Fannie Maddux, and brother Bob Maddux. Funeral services for Dona Cooper will be held Saturday, Nov. 10th, 2018, at 2:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 524 S. Duncan St., Stillwater, Okla.
74074. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church, or to OSU’s Dr. Donald L. Cooper Scholarship in Athletic Training Fund, 400 S. Monroe, Stillwater, OK 74074, or online at www. osugiving.com , key in Cooper at search choice.
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