Lola Sybil Cooper

Sybil was born in Frame, WV, on March 3, 1925 to James Anderson Cooper and Alda Elizabeth Given Cooper, who preceded her in death.

Also proceeding Sybil were her beloved siblings: Hubert Cooper, Versha Reed, Bernard Cooper, Jewel Medley, Mattie Patrick, Drema Kay Cooper, Gladys Guthrie, Mary Louise Cooper, Mamie Venable, Luverna Cooper, Tressie Preston, and James “Jim” Cooper.

She is survived by her loving sister, Hilda Lorene Reedy, of Pueblo, CO, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews who loved her dearly. Particularly her grandniece, Jamie Cooper Moales, of Hillsborough, NC, who provided care and companionship to Sybil for more than a decade.

Sybil was valedictorian of her senior class at Elk District High School (1944) and attended courses at Morris Harvey College in Charleston, WV. She was two years out of high school when she took the civil service exam. Sybil passed with flying colors taking it on a Saturday and then was on her way to Washington, DC, the following week in 1946 to attend commercial and business schools and to work for the U.S. government. She resided in the area until her passing. Sybil was a State Department secretary for more than 36 years, serving nearly 30 of those years in the Foreign Service.

Her exciting career in government began with the U.S. Postal Service (1946-47), eventually moving to the State Department (1947-1955), and then on to the Foreign Service (1955), where she served until her retirement in 1982.

She served as secretary and staff aide to Ambassador William Leonhart in the American embassies in Denmark (Copenhagen, 1955-58), the Philippines (Manila, 1958-60), Japan (Tokyo, 1960-62), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam, 1962-66), and Yugoslavia (Belgrade, 1969-72). Sybil served at eight embassies, on three continents, also including United Kingdom (London, 1975-78), Poland (Warsaw, 1978-79), and Thailand (Bangkok, 1979-81) with additional assignments in Washington, DC at the White House (1966-69) and in the State Department itself (1972-74).

Her assignment in Tanzania, historically Tanganyika an eastern African state that in 1964 merged with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar (later renamed the United Republic of Tanzania) was during a turbulent and dangerous time for the newly formed democracy. She also served in Yugoslavia during its tumultuous communist rule under President Josip Broz Tito.

Sybil was a trailblazer for women in the Foreign Service. During her career she worked on highly classified and top secret government documents including the Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, which was a U.S. program providing aid to Western Europe following the devastation of World War II. In addition to economic redevelopment, one of the stated goals of the Marshall Plan was to halt the spread of communism on the European continent.

After her retirement, she worked three years as a volunteer for Dr. Richard Halverson, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate (1982-85). Sybil also served as personal assistant to Clare Boothe Luce, an American author, politician, U.S. Ambassador, and public conservative figure from 1985 until her estate was settled in 1989.

She worked as an usher, primarily in the formerly titled Golden Circles Lounge of the Kennedy Center (on the Opera House side), for more than 20 years (until 2014) where she had the opportunity to meet and greet many famous people and make lifelong friends. She had a special friendship with world-renowned opera singer, Plácido Domingo, given his role with the Washington National Opera House during her time there.

Sybil was a born-again Christian and a member of the National Presbyterian Church, where she was actively involved for many years serving on the Business and Professional Women’s Guild, and the Washington-Tokyo Women’s Club. She will be greatly missed by all her knew and loved her. The world is less bright without her in it. Her family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff for the excellent care Sybil received at The Virginian Senior Living Community, where she resided since 2014, and for the staff of Vitas Healthcare for their assistance in her final months. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to National Presbyterian Church or Hospice in Sybil’s memory.

Services will be held at Tyler Mountain Funeral Home, 5233 Rocky Fork Road in Cross Lanes, WV, on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, with visitation from noon-1 p.m., and service at 1 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Garden, where Sybil will be laid to rest beside her father and mother per her wishes.

Condolences to her family can be shared by visiting www.tylermountainfuneralhome.com.