Martha Ella Smirl Cooper passed away on March 22, 2018 at the age of 87. Martha was born on March 25, 1930 in Dallas, Texas. She is preceded in death by her husband, Carroll Clinton Cooper, and her parents, Walter Lee Smirl and Mary Hellams Smirl.
Martha graduated from Richardson High School and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. After graduation from Mary Hardin-Baylor, she served as president of the alumnae as well as serving on its Board of Trustees. She was a champion of education and served as a teacher and substitute teacher for many years in the Grand Prairie Independent School District.
Martha lived her adult life in Grand Prairie. She not only taught academically in its schools, but was a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church, Grand Prairie for many years. Martha’s Bible teaching impacted all who went through her class.
Martha is survived by her twin sons, Brent Cooper and his wife Karen, and Kent Cooper and his wife Ronda. She is survived by five grandsons, Mark Cooper and his wife Jackie, Ryan Cooper and his wife Jenny, Mason Cooper and his wife Lauren, Elliott Cooper and his wife Hillary, and Blake Cooper and his wife Lauren and three granddaughters, Angela Roberts and her husband James, Britni Kaylor and her husband Jacob, and Jennifer Reynolds and her husband Austin. She is survived by fourteen great-grandchildren Peyton Cooper, Caroline Cooper, Evan Cooper, Cameron Cooper, Charlotte Cooper, Emma Cooper, Elise Cooper, Quinn Cooper, Hayes Cooper, Bryn Kaylor, Jadyn Kaylor, Macie Roberts, Ella Roberts and Pam Rodriguez.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made to the Martha Smirl Cooper Presidential Endowed Scholarship at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Gifts should be sent to 900 College Street, UMHB Box 8433, Belton, Texas 76513.
The family will have visitation from 4:00-6:00 pm on March 25 at Bean-Massey-Burge, 2951 S. Belt Line Rd., Grand Prairie, Texas 75052. Funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie, 950 Mayfield Rd., Grand Prairie, Texas 75052.
