DOVER - December 28, 1928, in the little town of Mount Hope, W.Va., began the life of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, educator and mentor. Juanita Elizabeth Payne, born to Matthew Julius Payne and Rosa Lee "Rosebud" Payne, was the seventh of nine siblings. She graduated on May 19, 1944, from DuBois High School in Mount Hope. She went on to attend Bluefield State Teachers College, graduating in August 1947. She was joined in marriage to the love of her life, Oliver "Babe Oli" Cooper, Jr. on June 14, 1949, at Union Baptist Church of Dover. From their 50 year union they had two sons, Oliver Cooper, III and Wayne Julius Cooper. She lived a life of service and dedication to God, family, the educational system and community. For all of her adult life, she was a devoted member of Whatcoat United Methodist Church of Dover. She served in the teaching ministry at Vacation Bible School, as well as directing the Cherub Choir. She has had such an impact upon the local community, most people know of, or have probably been a student of hers. She was a no nonsense teacher, and everyone knew far beyond the norm after being her student. She ran a tight ship, but the kids always looked forward to learning with Mrs. Cooper. She was a much appreciated youth mentor and educator, and she enjoyed nothing more than seeing children excel under her guidance and instruction. She dedicated 46 years to making sure children got off to the best start in life. She first started her career at Millsboro School #204 in lower Delaware, driving from Dover the very next day after receiving her driver's license! She would often drive over an hour each way daily, in all kinds of weather, just to get to her children for another school day. She did this for 13 years. She next taught in the Lake Forest School District, where she stayed until transferring to the Capital School District of Dover, Delaware. During her tenure of teaching elementary students, she worked to educate children in the Summer Migrant Education program in both the Dover and Caesar Rodney School Districts. By the time she retired, she had been instructor to well over 3,000 students! She did not stop after retirement, however. She organized and cofounded the Academy of Dover Charter School, with lifelong best friend, sister Soror and traveling buddy Ruby Coppadge. She was a Silver Soror and lifetime member of the Epsilon Iota Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Joining in 1963, She served as Chapter President from 1975-1976, and as Tamiochus for several years until 2010. One thing that was particularly interesting is that, despite the many technological advances of the times, she preferred to keep meticulous records, recording every financial report and keeping all the books by hand. Few people knew this, but when she handed over the reigns of her Tamiochus position, she also gave the Chapter the revelation that, on her own, she had saved a large amount for the betterment of the chapter's many outreach programs. She was truly a dedicated member of the sorority. She served as board member of several committees, including the Ivy Reading AKAdemy, promoting youth literacy, and received several Sorority service awards. She was often known to encourage citizenship and Soror involvement to support the sisterhood, as well as the community in every way she could. Juanita absolutely loved to travel. She would often pack delicious lunches, to travel back home to Mount Hope to visit and fellowship with her family, always taking her children, grandchildren, niece, or others, checking in to make sure everyone was okay. DC trips were often on her schedule as well, as she took her granddaughter and niece to sightsee, and to visit her brother who lived in Maryland. She always had an interesting travel adventure, and truly enjoyed her travel to Alaska, and when her grandson took her abroad to England! Field trips with her schoolchildren were fun for her as well; she loved taking the children to new and exciting places. She often had the Dover P.D. and fire department come directly to her classroom to educate the children. Several of her students went on to become doctors, public servants, politicians, and it is amazing how she instilled a sense of pride and the desire for accomplishment into her children. One of her most memorable and exciting events, however, was when President Clinton came to her kindergarten classroom! Civic activities were a must for her. She held several positions of public trust, including as Notary Public. She was a life member of the NAACP, and worked with the Fire department in fire prevention programs to educate children on fire safety. She attended the Delaware State Troopers Ride Along Buddy Program at Troop #3, and the Dover P.D. Citizenship Police Academy #16, where she met special buddy Sgt. James Hosfelt. She really grew to admire and respect him, and would often talk fondly of him with family. And no one will ever forget her several hilarious police adventure stories she relayed. She always had a good rapport with them, considering she taught half of them in kindergarten! Juanita had a great affection and love for music. Music filled her life, and she definitely passed that love and talent to her descendants. She would often travel with her grandchildren's' marching bands on away games as a chaperone. She sang with the Whatcoat Choir, and was an appreciated member of the Sylvia Olden Lee Music Guild-National Association of Negro Musicians, and the Delaware Choral Society. She loved to sing at events, especially operatic music and at the Christmas cantatas. Juanita was an excellent cook as well. The thing her family most looked forward to was those perfectly seasoned, succulent Thanksgiving turkeys, her famous mac and cheese, and that good old sweet potato pie! And we all will chuckle fondly when we think about her teddy bear collection-she bought one every year for every grandchild, and had so many that they lined her stairs! Every time a child would enter her home, they probably left with a bear! There are so many fond stories to tell about Juanita, so many adventures, such an impact she has left on our lives, our community. She was preceded in death by loving husband, Oliver Cooper Jr.; eldest son, Oliver Cooper III; sisters, Joan Eason, Armel Lake, Lucille Smith, Rosa Evelyn Payne; and brother, Matthew Payne, Jr. She leaves to carry on her legacy beloved son, Wayne Julius Cooper (Cheryl); grandchildren, Tonicia Poe, Jr. (Gerald), David Cooper (Karen), Shauna Petersen (Shawn), Colwyn Cooper, Oliver Cooper IV, Carter Cooper; sister, Marie Parks, brother Reginald Payne; sister-in-law, Dorothy Cooper, 13 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and community. She will be highly regarded, dearly missed and always remembered. The family kindly asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Whatcoat United Methodist Church Scholarship program. Viewing services will be held on Nov. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Whatcoat United Methodist Church, Salisbury Rd, Dover, with a special Alpha Kappa Alpha dedication service at 7 p.m. Funeral Services are Saturday, Nov. 12, with Viewing at 9:30 a.m, and Service at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Sharon Hills Cemetery. Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home.