Lelia Mae Cooper

Lelia Mae O'Neal Cooper was born November 10, 1928, to Luvenia McNair O'Neal and William Odell O'Neal. Her siblings were DeWitt O'Neal, William O'Neal Jr., Dorothy Swan, Betty Shoecraft, and LaVerne Miller. She was the third of six children.

Lelia attended Spring Street Elementary School and Calvin M. Woodward High School in Toledo, Ohio. She graduated from Woodward in 1944. Later in life, she attended nursing school, became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and worked at Riverside Hospital for many years. She moved to Los Angeles in 1976, married Raymond Cooper, and worked for the Los Angeles Job Corps until she retired.

After high school, Lelia was married to Howard Haynes and had four children: Renee James, Hilton (Tony) Haynes (Jean), Shawna (Tony) Easterly (deceased), and Harley (Ruth) Haynes. For many years, Lelia was a stay-at-home mom, devoted to raising her four children and her sister LaVerne, on the infamous "Spring Street, Out Stickney". She believed her most significant achievement in life was her family, and she was passionate about it. She would always say, "Family first, because God is the head of our family." She took pride in supporting her children and any family member in all their endeavors. LOVE is Lelia Cooper's legacy, and it was infectious to every person she met.

Lelia received Christ early in life and continued in her faith until death. In addition to caring for her family, she enjoyed playing piano and singing worship music. You could always hear the likes of Mahalia Jackson and James Cleveland playing on Sunday mornings, with Lelia singing in the background. She was an active member of Crenshaw Christian Center and Zoe Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles. In Seattle, she was an active member of Emerald City Bible Fellowship. She was also well known, around the neighborhood, for her "famous" homemade high-rising rolls!

Lelia transitioned to be with the Lord on January 9, 2023. She was 94 years old. Lelia was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers DeWitt and William O'Neal Jr., her sisters Betty Shoecraft and Dorothy Swan, her husband Raymond Cooper, her daughter Shawna Easterly and her granddaughter Michelle Easterly.

Lelia is survived by her sister, LaVerne Miller (Granville), her daughter, Renee and sons, Hilton and Harley, as well as a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Special thanks to caregiver Minda Lopez.

The family will receive guests on Friday, January 27, 2023 from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home- West Sylvania Chapel 3655 King Rd Toledo (419-392-9500).

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You may Livestream the service at 12:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 27, 2023 by clicking here.