Beulah Ophelia Groves Taylor Cooper

Born on October 26, 1921, the sixth of ten children born to the Rev. Joseph Israel Groves and his wife Albertha Sims Groves in Russell, Texas, Beulah was named after two of their sisters. Eight of her siblings (now deceased) were the Rev. I.B.S. Groves Sr., Reedie G. Johnson, Robert Groves, Christina Groves, Alfred Groves, Julius Elliott Groves, Dorothy Groves, and Paul Lawrence Groves. Beulah professed her love for Christ at a young age, grew up being an eager student – learned to play xylophone and piano, graduated early from high school, and traveled to Austin at age 16 to attend Sam Huston and Tillotson Colleges (now University). There she earned a teaching certificate to start her career as an educator.

She began playing piano at Peaceful St. James Baptist Church, where she met Arthur Taylor, Sr.'s family and married Arthur Taylor, Jr. in 1941. To this union, ten children were born: Kathryn Ann, Evelyn Marie, Arthur Bettye Jewel, twins Arthur Lee and Albert Ray, John Edmond, Dewey Charles, Stephen Lawrence, Robin Jeanette, and Sherri Lynn. Before that marriage ended, she graduated with a bachelor's degree from UT-Austin in 1963 on the same weekend that daughters Evelyn and Bettye graduated, respectively, from Old Anderson and McCallum High Schools. After teaching and finishing graduate school with her master's degree in counseling, Beulah met and married John Cooper, who blessed her with more love from his children: John, Jr. (Ethel) , Diann (Henry), Eloise (Thomas), Rosemary, Bobby (Rita) and Gail.

An Austin resident for over seventy years, Beulah was known to many for her active involvement in many personal and professional community activities. She raised her children participating in PTA and staff events at their various schools; she led protests against unlawful discriminatory practices, demonstrated behaviors that promoted fair and common sense communication among business and personal friends – one at a time. She played piano and organ for choirs at several area churches; she taught piano to neighbor children and adults. Determined to succeed in funding completion of her formal education, she worked at the post office, the state employment commission, was housekeeper and caregiver in others' homes, sewed her family's clothing, and applied seamstress skills for jobs with linen services and interior design contractors. Scholarships, loans and grants funded her graduate degree, and she became a counselor of students at UT-Austin's West Mall offices (1969-1973). Having attended UT since 1961, she was among the Precursor group of UT's Black Alumni; she became a Life Member of Texas Exes, and she was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Following work as a teacher and counselor in local elementary, junior high and high schools, she retired from AISD's LBJ High School in 1982.

Not shy about learning from possibly everything she did, Beulah enjoyed helpline counseling, working crossword puzzles, watching football, playing dominos, domestic and international traveling, competing in Scrabble club tournaments – and she launched a high school club. She committed interest and active membership participation in the Austin Retired Teachers Association. Until she faced failing health, she faithfully attended and tithe-supported Victory Christian Center.

Our community of friends and neighbors are welcomed to join our family at a Life Celebration Wake on Friday evening, October 9 at the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel North Lamar, where flowers may be delivered. On Saturday, October 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., funeral attendees may have a final viewing of our loved one before the funeral service begins at Victory Christian Center, 7625 North IH-35, Austin.

Beulah was preceded in death by children Kathryn, Albert, Robin, Dewey and Stephen, Sr., and the father of her children. Widowed since 1990, she mourned the loss of John Cooper, Sr., his son John, Jr. and daughter Gail.

Beulah is survived by one sister, Mrs. Maxine Ebo of Rancho Cordova, California; daughter-in-law Linda of Norfolk, Virginia; daughters Evelyn, Bettye and Sherri of Austin; sons Art (Richmond, Virginia) and John (Austin); John Cooper's children Eloise (Thomas), Diann (Henry), Rosemary and Bobby (Rita), who call her "Mom"; grandchildren Cleveland, Stephen, Jr., Portia, DeJa, Sabrina, Felicia and Kaitlyn; great-grandchildren, and a blessed bevy of relatives and dear social friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Austin Retired Teachers Association Foundation. The Austin Retired Teachers Association Foundation was established in 1976 to collect funds and create a scholarship program to encourage high school seniors who plan to become teachers. Each year the ARTA Foundation gives scholarships to a senior at each of the 13 Austin ISD high schools. Each senior receives a $1000 scholarship to support their goal of becoming a teacher. All funds collected by the ARTA Foundation are tax deductible. Contributions may be made in memory of Beulah Cooper who was an important and cherished member of the Austin Retired Teachers Association. You can make checks payable to the ARTA Foundation Fund and mail your check to Linda Harvey, 5602 Westminister Drive, Austin, Texas, 78723-2619 or online at http://www.localunits.org/AustinRTA