Vandella C. Cooper

Mrs. Vandella C. Cooper was born December 30, 1920 in Ailey, GA to the late Jay and Susie Collins. She met and married the late Samuel McAuthur in 1942 in Uvalda , GA. They later moved to Brunswick, GA. Where she worked in the shipyard with her sister Chessie Mae Lee til the shipyard closed and she relocated to Jacksonville, Fl. She married the late E. E. Cooper Feb. 14, 1960 in Jacksonville, FL.

She joined Mt. Arat Baptist under the late Dallas J. Graham. She worked faithfully on the Usher Board. She owned and operated child and adult foster care home for many years. She also worked for Duval County School system in the cafeteria.

Ms. Vandella Cooper leaves to morn her four children, Lola Salter (Tommie), Sweetie Vickers , Wallace Mc Authur, Gloria Coon. Her oldest granddaughter Joyce Collins, grandson Earl Collins , Elizabeth in N.J that she raised, 15 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, her sister, Ruby (Coot) Gray of Miami, FL. A host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. A special friend Ms. Carrie Jenkins of Jacksonville, FL.

She was preceeded in death by her parents Jay and Susie Collins, Maggie ( Dennis) Mc Clain Alberta ( Jimmie), Chessie ( Robert) Lee, Ira ( Rosetta) Collins, Helen ( Charlie ) Wright, Ida Bell ( Herman) Byrd, Charlie Gray.

The family would like to thank her care giver Sheika Merrick & Dr. Pricilla Johnson and staff. A visitation will be held on Friday, August, 15, 2014 from 5-7pm located at Hardage- Giddens Funeral Home Edgewood Chapel 729 S. Edgewood Ave. Jacksonville, Fl. 32205. A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014 from 10:30-12pm and funeral service immediately following at St. Mary’s Baptist Church 2038 Mc Gregor Alston Rd. Ailey, GA 30410.