Barbara Karel Mauldin Cooper

Barbara Karel Mauldin Cooper, was born in Wichita Falls, TX on July 28, 1939 and passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the age of 81, surrounded by family in Biloxi, MS. Upon graduation from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, TX, Barbara went to Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN for one year before transferring to West Texas State University in Canyon, TX where she majored in Secondary Education. Upon graduation from college, Barbara took a position as a teacher in Vernon, TX and Beeville, TX as a junior high English and Science teacher. While in Beeville, she took up dance lessons in Corpus Christi at The Arthur Murray Dance Studio where she met Donald D. Cooper. Barbara and Donald were married a year later in March of 1965, at the First Baptist Church of Beeville. Barbara enjoyed teaching, reading and ultimately working at the Sims Library in Waxahachie, TX. While in Waxahachie, Don and Barbara joined Ferris Avenue Baptist Church where she served as the director for the Women’s Missionary Union for the church, county and the state. She loved filling in as church secretary and church pianist. Being a Sunday School teacher was her passion. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents, Marcus Benjamin and Eula Mae Swaim Shackelford Mauldin; her brother, Richard Shackelford; her sister, Virginia and brother-in-law, Richard McGrew; her sister, Alice Williams; and her nephew, Robert W. McGrew. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Marci and son-in-law, Michael Bullington, of Biloxi, MS; her grandsons that she loved being their Mimi to so very much, David (Evie) and Brandon; her great-grandkids, Levi and Kathryn, whom she enjoyed her new role as “The Great Mimi”; She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Jim Williams; her niece, Heather (Charles) and their daughter, Fiona; her sister-in-law, Wannie Shackelford; her nephews, Gary and Don Shackelford; numerous cousins and great nieces and nephews; her church family from The Avenue; and her precious cat, Bree. Special thanks to Kindred Hospice of Biloxi and the special hospice nurses, Stephanie and Sue and aide, Sharon and social worker, Lynn whose wise words helped us navigate this time with grace and understanding. Their love and the care, and support they provided, not just to Barbara, but to Marci and her family as well, will never be forgotten. And to the Hospice Chaplain Bro Ken who is now part of the family, as he helped Barbara heal old wounds and be reminded of God’s grace, love and forgiveness. In lieu of flowers please make donations to The Alzheimer’s Association, www.Alz.org or to the South Mississippi Humane Society, www.hssm.org A Memorial Service will be held at Wayne Boze Funeral Home Chapel in Waxahachie, TX on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Biloxi, MS is honored to serve the Cooper family.