Jacquelyn Victoria Smith Cooper

Obituary For Jacquelyn Victoria Smith Cooper

“Christianity does not exempt one from death. It only ensures triumph over death, as there is no other way of entrance into our Heavenly Father’s House.”

Mrs. Jacquelyn Victoria Smith cooper, 76, a cherished mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend was born April 6, 1949, in Bronx, NY to the late John F. Smith and Florence Rowland Smith; the middle child of three daughters. She peacefully transitioned from this life to eternity June 23, 2025. She spent the last year and a half at August Healthcare due to Alzheimer’s.

She was married to the late Perry Cooper, and they resided in Butner, NC until he departed this life in 2007.

Jackie, Coop, Cooper, “Momma,” Grandma, Aunt Jackie, and Momma Jackie as she was affectionately called, received her early education in Durham City Public Schools. She graduated from Hillside High School in the class of 1967 and remained an active alum. She attended Lincoln School of Nursing and Durham Technical Institute. She was employed in several of the local hospitals including Duke University Medical Center, Lincoln Hospital, and Watts Hospital. She also worked in several local nursing homes and at Butner Mental Institution. Her skills were sought by many medical facilities, and she was always in demand. Jackie received honors for her excellent nursing skills and her kind and empathetic bedside manner. Even as a resident in the nursing home, she tried to be a nurse to other residents; often having to be “ushered” out of their rooms.

Jackie was a gifted singer; being blessed with the ability to sing alto and tenor. In her early years, she preferred playing outside, climbing trees and catching bees and snakes. She enjoyed cooking, singing, watching nature programs and travel shows. She would often call family members and tell them which “country” she had traveled to that particular day. Jackie loved her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and her “baby” sister. She was the protector in the family, often threatening people simply for looking at her sister or her children.

Jackie was an AMAZING cook! She could take canned vegetables and make them taste like she had picked them out of the garden. What she did to fried chicken, homemade rolls, chitterlings and pork chops would make you want to smack somebody. In fact, EVERYTHING she cooked was simply delicious. If she knew you were coming to visit, she would ask you your favorite food and have it prepared for you when you arrived. Even during her days of Alzheimer's at the Nursing Home, when they would have a cooking activity for the residents, she would take over and tell them how much of what ingredient to use. If they questioned her, she would give them the “side eye” and say, “that’s what I said, now do it”!

During her seven years as a resident of Richmond and Midlothian, she made many new friends; both at Church and in the seniors’ apartment complex where she lived. She just seemed to have the kind of personality that attracted people; so for most, to know her was to love her. Even at

August Healthcare, where she resided this last year and a half, the staff, other residents and even their family members loved Jackie.

After her Alzheimer’s/Dementia diagnosis, she often forgot many things, but she never forgot the lyrics to popular gospel songs and would often be heard singing along with the CD’s which the staff provided for her. She loved gospel music and good singing.

Jackie was preceded in death by her husband, Perry Cooper, her parents, John and Florence R. Smith, sister and brother-in-law, Deborah and Ronald Johnson. Celebrating the memory of her life and those who will be most profoundly deprived of the warmth of her love, personality and strength of her character are her three children, devoted daughter, Vikki (Walker) Edwards, N. Chesterfield, VA, Charles Norman, Jr., (Jennifer), Butner, NC and Florence Harris (Leon), Clayton, NC; loving and devoted sister, Dr. Johnnye Massenburg-Johnson (Earl); Midlothian, VA; grand-children, Marzell and Alexander Walker, Trey and Charlese Norman, Monica, Kree, Kaylin and Albani Harris, Chelsie Lee (Exum), 3 great grand-children, several nieces and nephews, numerous cousins, other relatives and friends. Her close friends include Gwendolyn Hairston, Aretha Ellett, Willnett Williams, Roslyn Belton, Joyce Patterson, Sonata Koger and her new best friend, Nurse Candace Gillam.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the Faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Funeral Arrangements:
Viewing: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

12:00noon- 6:00pm

Family will be present from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Holloway Memorial Funeral Home

Interment: Thursday, July 3, 2025, 11:00am at Markham Memorial Gardens

"We do not own copyrights to the background music."