Shirley C. Cooper

Shirley graduated from State College High School in Centre Hall, PA in 1949 and graduated from Penn State University, where she met her beloved husband, Howard Payne Cooper. Shortly after graduation, Howard entered the Air Force and was sent to San Antonio for duty. They were married at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas on December 24th, 1951, and were married for 56 years.

After living in Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Wyoming, New Mexico, California, Japan (where their son Joe was born) and Germany with the Air Force, Shirley and Howard always vowed to return to their beloved San Antonio, which they did upon Howard’s retirement as a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force in 1971, remaining here until their deaths. They loved this city, and both were very involved in different organizations and giving back to this community.

Upon her return to San Antonio, Shirley became very involved with the Alamo City Republican Women and was a very active member for 45 years and attended her last meeting in June of this year. Shirley served in all of the elected officer positions as well as being a very active Republican volunteer where she became close with many of the local, state, and national politicians. Shirley was inducted into the Bexar GOP Hall of Fame and received an award as one of the Texas Federation of Republican Women’s Ten Outstanding Republican Women. Shirley chaired and worked on many campaigns and fundraisers for many judges, district attorneys, sheriffs, governors, senators and congressmen. Shirley worked telephone banks for Governor Rick Perry, President Reagan, President George Bush and President George W. Bush. In 2017 she worked at President Trump’s secret National Incoming Call Center in San Antonio and took calls from all over the world. Shirley served as a Senate District Delegate and a State Convention Delegate for the Bexar County Republican Party, as well as serving as secretary and served on numerous senatorial convention committees over the years. For numerous years, Shirley was also a Bexar County Election Judge working countless hours. Shirley was a very passionate and a very proud Republican and was so excited when “her” people won elections.

Shirley was a very private, independent woman who did not mind voicing her opinion or lending a helping hand and she loved a good laugh and jokes. She loved animals and had a special place in her heart for dogs, especially Shelties. She loved attending luncheons, neighbor’s happy hours and going with her friend to local estate sales on Thursdays. Shirley was also a member of the Assistance League of San Antonio and was an active member and officer of her neighborhood association for many years.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents, her husband Howard, and her only child, Joseph Mark (Joe) Cooper. She leaves behind numerous friends who all loved and respected her, and her next door neighbors who included her as part of their family for over 20 years.

A memorial reception will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at Porter Loring Mortuary, 1101 McCullough Ave, 78212.