THELMA CLARA COOPER

Thelma Cooper was born Thelma Clara Bartholomew in New Orleans Louisiana on June 14, 1930. She was the youngest of four children born to Lewis Bartholomew and Mary Roussell. In 1936 at the age of 6 Thelma's father passed away leaving her mother as single parent, but to the credit of her amazing brother who stepped up financially to help his mother provide for his three sisters. Coming from a close and loving family Thelma maintained close relationship with her siblings throughout her life - her brother Dave and her two sisters Alvera and Louise. Thelma had II cousins that were more like an extended family of brothers and sisters; some of her fondest memories as a youth is being around her siblings and cousins. 

After graduating from Booker T. Washington high school and receiving her cosmetology license from KDE Wickum in New Orleans, Thelma headed to San Diego to join her sister Louise. In San Diego she met the love of her life Sidney Cooper, and they were married in 1953. Soon after, Thelma opened the Powder Puff Beauty Salon a small business, located in the heart of the South-East Black Community in San Diego. 

As a small business owner and entrepreneur she became a pillar in the community along with her husband. Together they founded one of the first Juneteenth Celebrations in San Diego, and after her husband's passing she carried on the tradition with help of her children. 

Thelma discovered her singing voice in grade school and loved the choir. She continued her love for music and singing by joining several church coirs throughout her life in San Diego she joined the Southeast Presbyterian Church choir. Her passion and love for music was lifelong, even in her final days music was a comfort to her. 

From Thelma and Sidney's union they had four children - Shelly Cooper-Ashford, Marla Cooper-Anders, Lana Cooper-Jones, and Sidney Cooper Fr. Five grandchildren Kerry Holifield Jr., Monique Brown, Marcellus Jones, Maliya Jones, and Shane Cooper. Seven great grandchildren; Kerry Marie, Bailey, Khonner, and Cydney Holifield, Nasir and Kyrie Brown, Aryiah Jones, a very special nephew, Amani Che Miller, three son in-laws Earl Ashford, Marcellus Jones, Anthony Anders; Daughter in law Flora White-Cooper; granddaughter in law Marie Holifield; grandson in law Terrence Brown; as well as a multitude of loving and caring extended family who were never forgotten in her thoughts. 

Just as Thelma was blessed to grow up in a loving family, she blessed her family with that same love. Though her time on this earth has come to an end, the love that she blessed her family with, will live on for generations to come. 

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