Carrie  (Byrd) Cooper

Carrie (Byrd) Cooper, 81, of 15 Blacks Hill Road, Shelton, died on December 1 in Griffin Hospital, Derby. She was the wife of Willie Cooper of Shelton.

She was the mother of Francis Lionell Cooper of Newtown.

Mrs Cooper was born in Darlington, S.C., November 12, 1918, daughter of the late Elliot and Rozena (Bostic) Byrd, and had been a Shelton resident for most of her life. She was employed at Hershey Metal Company and the Ansonia Day Care Center and was a member of the Senior Choir at her church.

Mrs Cooper was the mother of William Ashley Cooper of Portland, Ore., Brian Anthony Cooper of Shelton, Gerald Phillips of Shelton, Darlene Elizabeth Cooper of Shelton, Janell Cooper of New Haven, and Tina Cooper of New Haven; sister of Matthew A. Byrd of New Haven, Matilda Ann Brown of El Paso, Tex., and Bessie Thompson of New Haven. She also leaves 11 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Her funeral service was held on December 6 in the Clinton AME Zion Church, 96 Central Street, Ansonia, with the pastor, Rev Robert Linder, officiating. Burial was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Easton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Clinton AME Zion Church Building Fund, 96 Central Street, Ansonia, CT 06401.

The Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton, was in charge of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee December 10, 1999