Linda Ann Cooper's Obituary
Linda Ann (Oliver) Cooper, age 81, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family. Born on July 14, 1943, in Beaumont, Texas, Linda was the only daughter of Lee Oliver and Eleanor (Wright) Oliver.
By the age of two, her family moved to Drumright, Oklahoma, where her father eventually owned and operated the local Texaco gas station and her mother would help establish a local church.
With parents who were gifted musicians as well as songwriters, Linda naturally inherited their musical talent. She became an accomplished pianist and often accompanied her parents in church. This gift would go on to play a meaningful and lasting role throughout her life.
It was in Drumright she met the love of her life, James Lowell Cooper, Jr, and they married shortly after Linda's high school graduation on June 30, 1961. They spent the next three years in Stillwater, Oklahoma, while James attended Oklahoma State University on a basketball scholarship, playing under legendary coach Henry Iba.
After James earned his diploma from OSU in 1964, he and Linda entered into ministry together, serving in Drumright, Jamaica, Suriname (South America), and McAlester, Oklahoma.
Their pioneering mission work in Suriname was especially impactful, marked by the founding of a Bible training center that equips local Surinamers-many of whom went on to establish more than fifty churches throughout the country. These churches remain active and thriving to this day under the capable leadership of Surinamers. Several graduates have also gone to other mission fields in Curacao, Bonaire, Aruba, French Guyana, Holland, Germany, Africa, India, and the USA.
Though Linda did not have children of her own, she poured her love and care into countless others. While serving in Suriname, she and James welcomed their son Stuart into their family-he remained her pride and joy. The couple also opened their home to many single young women, offering guidance, mentorship, and a Christ-centered example that shaped their lives in lasting ways.
Linda lived a life marked by purpose, quiet strength, and unwavering faith. Her love for Jesus was demonstrated in her life of service to others. She was a steady and faithful presence beside James throughout their decades of ministry. While her husband was often the visible face of their ministry-traveling, preaching, and leading with a vibrant presence, Linda found joy serving outside of the spotlight. She was not only found at the piano, cultivating a worshipful atmosphere, but also supervised the kitchen at the training center and was known for being a hard worker. James once said they had lived in hard conditions, but she had never complained to him.
Her passion for music extended into teaching, nurturing the next generation of aspiring musicians. Like her parents, she even wrote some songs of her own. In addition to her musical abilities and love for worship, Linda was an exceptional cook and extremely hospitable, welcoming many ministry leaders from around the world into her home throughout the years.
Linda is survived by her beloved son, Stuart Wongobe and wife Linde; grandchildren Jeannet, Simone, Jim, and Anne-Karen and 8 great-grandchildren; her brother, Chester Oliver and wife Maureen; nieces Cindi Scott, Carey Spoon, and Kimberly Tomlinson and their families; nephe., Jadan Oliver.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother, David Oliver.
A celebration of Linda's life will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 11:00a, with a reception following. All who knew her are welcome to attend and honor her beautiful legacy.
Linda will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her life was a gift to all who knew her, and her memory will continue to inspire love, resilience, and grace.
Linda's legacy lives on in the many lives she touched, the young women she guided toward Christ, and the family she loved so deeply. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her as a mentor, sister in Christ, colleague, and friend.
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