Patricia Anne Cooper-Thomas

Mrs. Patricia Anne Cooper-Thomas, age 77, was a beloved wife, mother of three daughters, grandmother of three, sister, loving aunt, cousin, mentor and friend who passed away early July 27, 2024. Patricia was the oldest of five children born to the late Reverend Davis A. Cooper Sr. and Rose Ann Tharpe Cooper. Paticia married the love of her life, Franklin Delano Thomas on March 21, 1963, and their marriage was blessed with three daughters. She was educated in both Blackshear and Waycross, Georgia and graduated from Lee Street High School in 1965 with honors. She was deemed a high achiever. Nevertheless, Patricia sang in the school choir and served as a school office aide. Later in 1964, she became a United States Army wife! In 1966, she joined her husband, Delano in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where she was a housewife. In 1967, they drove to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she worked in the Courts and Boards of the city, until the family returned to Fort Benning, Georgia. From 1973-1989, she worked at several installations with the Department of Defense Communications (Fort Campbell, KY, Charlotte, NC, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Fort Benning, GA, Fort Bliss, TX, and Fort Richardson, AK). In 1989, she worked in the hospital postpartum unit at Fort Stewart, GA., while simultaneously leading the Enlisted Wives Club (teaching all senior ladies on how to maintain operations while their husbands were deployed to the Middle East). In 1990, during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Patricia served as the spokesperson for the Enlisted Wives at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. She was interviewed on the Today Show with Bryant Gumbel and NBC News with Joe Garagiola and received high praise! Furthermore, she participated in erecting a monument in honor of all 24th Infantry Division Soldiers. From 1994-1996, her husband and she were stationed in the Republic of Panama where she worked at Gorgas Hospital. From 1997-2005, this amazing woman finally retired as a Logistical Coordinator for the Fort Gillem Commissary. Overall, she loved and honored her country by decorating her various homes in red, white and blue. We salute her patriotic duties and life’s work! Patricia BELIEVED in FAMILY! She enjoyed assisting with the establishment and maintenance of the Hightower Family Reunion Directory for approximately 45 years. Her efforts resulted in 200 family members attending the recent family reunion in Atlanta, July 18-21, 2024! Patricia was preceded in death by her father, Reverand Davis A. Cooper, Sr. and mother, Rose Anne Tharpe Cooper, and brother, CPO (Ret.) Joshua E. Cooper. She leaves to cherish her memories and legacy to her husband, CSM (Ret)Franklin Delano Thomas (married 61 years), daughters: Dr. Della M. Thomas-Culver, Chiquia D. Thomas-Quick and Kandice R. Thomas-Crockett (Ryan), grandchildren: Chalis X. Crockett, Natalyn V. Crockett, Julian T. Crockett, Michael Brinkley, Courtney Culver Simmons (Brandon). Great-grandchildren: Victoria Dowdy, Stephen Dowdy, and Grace Nicholson. Brothers: Davis A. Cooper, Jr. (Cecile), Benjamin F. Cooper, SFC (Ret.) Asa G. Cooper (Erika) and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Tributes

Patricia Anne Cooper-Thomas

July 14, 1947 - July 27, 2024