Mamie G. Cooper

Sunset: July 11, 2017, Chesapeake, Virginia

Mamie Gordon Butler Cooper was the younger of two children born to parents, Richard William Acker Gordon, the Golden Senator and a Methodist Minister from Robertsport, Republic of Liberia and Frances Moore Gordon of the Gabriel Moore–Elijah Johnson ancestry of the Republic of Liberia.

Mamie began her educational pursuits at the House of Bethany in Robertsport where the Episcopal Church in the US supplied missionaries to provide academic, vocational and religious education. As the daughter of a Methodist Minister and a mother who was a devout Christian, Mamie began her life’s journey as a Methodist. With this foundation in the Christian Faith, she received the Lord, Jesus Christ as her personal Savior.

Mamie, who was very attractive, had many suitors but fell in love with Andrew Henri Butler who was a teacher. Their marriage was blessed with four children: Richard, Frances (Lady B), Andrew and Robert (Bobby).

In 1943, Andrew Henri Butler passed away while Bobby was just an infant. After his death, Mamie moved to Monrovia where there were more opportunities. She was keen on furthering her education and was particularly interested in Library Science.

Her first employment was in the Library at the University of Liberia. Thereafter, she worked at the United States Information Service in Monrovia. She was then afforded an opportunity to pursue courses in Library Science in Cleveland, Ohio.

While Mamie pursued her studies in the US, her children lived with her Sister Elizabeth Gordon-Freeman and her family in Robertsport where they attended the House of Bethany and St John’s Mission. Upon her return to Liberia they joined her in Monrovia.

The attractive young widow captured the attention of the Honorable Momolue Dukuly who served as, Secretary of State for the Republic of Liberia (1954- 1960). The two were married and blended their young families. The Dukuly children, Neh, Willette (Dah) and Mully would form a bond with Mamie extending far beyond the marriage.

After her marriage to Dukuly, Mamie began playing the game of Bridge as a hobby. This became the centerpiece of her social life and expanded her interactions with people from many cultures and nations. She was the first native-born Liberian to be accepted as a member of the Monday and Thursday nights Bridge Clubs in Monrovia. The members of these Clubs were mainly wives of Ambassadors and other foreign dignitaries. Mamie developed relationships that she treasured deeply.

In addition to Bridge Clubs, Mamie was a member of the Eastern Star, Sisters of the Mysterious Ten (SMT) and the House Hold of Ruth, which enabled her to affiliate with Liberian women in her social class.

In 1957, Mamie and her children immigrated to the United States. In 1960, she married Benjamin Cooper of Norfolk. He was a trained musician and taught music in Norfolk Public School System. They discovered while on the receiving line at their wedding reception that an Uncle of his, a Cooper, had settled in Liberia and was related to one of the Cooper families in Liberia.

After their marriage, Mamie and Benjamin moved to a new a home in Chesapeake, VA. The two would make several visits to Liberia during their marriage. Their dream was to live in Liberia upon Benjamin’s retirement. However, in 1976, Benjamin passed away leaving Mamie a widow once more.

After Benjamin’s untimely death, Mamie settled into her life as a single woman and even learned to drive. Despite several proposals of marriage, Mamie chose never to marry again.

Mamie remained passionate about Bridge and she immersed herself in it, joining numerous Bridge clubs and playing in countless tournaments throughout the United States. She was a member of the American Bridge Association and Past President of the Bon Ton Duplicate Bridge Club of Norfolk, VA. She received over 37 trophies, taking 1st or 2nd place in most.

On March 22, 2005, she was presented the 2004 Pacesetter Certificate in recognition of her meritorious service as Past President of Bon Ton Duplicate Bridge Club of Norfolk, VA and on October 7, 2007 the American Bridge Association Award of Excellence Mid-Atlantic Women on Parade in special recognition of her dedication and commitment to Bon Ton Duplicate Bridge Club, Norfolk, VA.

Besides playing Bridge, Mamie enjoyed playing board games and especially POKENO. Mamie’s greatest satisfaction came from teaching others, and especially young women to play bridge. She also enjoyed being a resource in the community to speak to students and others about Liberian and African culture.

Her family and friends were important to her she maintained close relationship with neighbors and friends. Mamie was passionate about helping people. When asked what mattered most to her in life, Mamie’s response was “helping people.”

Mamie was blessed with a long life. She managed to maintain a healthy life style by exercising regularly, keeping abreast of research related to health and the environment and relying on home remedies that worked for her. She was a caring woman who loved life and nature. When asked which flower she liked best, she simply responded, “All flowers are beautiful”. She was a special flower and she knew it.

Mamie was creative and loved interior decorating and took great pride and care in decorating her home. When it came to fashion, she was always at her best. Mamie had an eye for fashion and always dressed to please herself. She was also very particular about her hair, going to the hairdresser was as important to her as going to the doctor. She loved to cook and try new recipes. She truly loved life.

Mamie was a long-time member at Grace Episcopal Church. When she was no longer able to attend Church, she listened to church services on Television and received weekly bulletins to stay abreast.

Mamie knew how to call on her Lord in her darkest hour and she relied on his unchanging grace. Her favorite hymn was; “Lead me, Guide me”, “May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.”

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her family.

Mamie is survived by her son Andrew Henri Butler and foster sons Thomas Butler and John Blounc. Daughters-in-Law Janie Johnson Butler and Olga Hage Butler. Her Grandchildren, Thomas Jefferson, Mamie Hill, Richard B. Butler, Jr., John S. Butler, Sr., George S. Butler, Robert E. Butler, Jr., Drewkai Butler, Olga Butler and Rab Butler. Her devoted Nieces, Cecelia Freeman Bull (William), Ophelia Freeman Johnson (Carney) and Dr. Maima Freeman Fahnbulleh. Cousins, Nancy Marshall Ross and the Honorable Amelia Ross Hammond. In addition to a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, foster sons and daughters, other relatives and friends.

Mamie was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth Gordon Freeman and her children, Richard B. Butler, Sr., Frances Butler Hurdle and Robert E. Butler. Sr.