Anna Mae Cooper

Mrs. Anna Mae (Dayian) Cooper slipped away from us on Wednesday evening, June 14, 2023, and stepped into the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ as a forgiven sinner and beloved daughter. She trusted Jesus completely to save her, change her, and lead her, and He did. She "opened her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue was the law of kindness" Proverbs 31:26. Her children rise up and call her blessed (and gentle, consistent, and patient). Janice (Stephen) Green, David (Diane) Cooper, Daniel (Beth) Cooper, Steven (Rita) Cooper, and Joy (Garry) Geer all survive her, while her youngest son James Jr. passed away in 2002. She loved being grandma to 13 (and their spouses) and greatgrandma to 17. Anna Mae was born August 17, 1932 in Los Angeles into a loving Armenian home to her parents Harry Sarkis and Johanna (Lenko) Dayian and her older brothers Harry, George, and Ted, who all preceded her in death. She graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Westmont College before marrying her handsome young seminary student, James David Cooper (her "Jim") on May 30, 1952 and moving to the Midwest. Theirs was a love story that held each other strong and created a home where tranquility and good food met and sheltered many souls over their 63 years together. Anna would patiently "add more water to the soup" whenever Jim brought home an unexpected guest or two, making everyone feel welcome and often while humming a quiet song. They planted and ministered in churches in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois, including 25 years in Paris, IL. Pastor Jim preceded her to Heaven in 2016, after which she made her home with her daughter Jan and family in Danville, IL. She loved music, watching birds (especially bright cardinals), writing encouraging letters, and letting other people have the spotlight. Hers was a genuine faith in a real God lived out in a fallible human life.

A celebration of Anna Mae's life will be held on Monday, June 19 from 9:00-11:00 am at Faith Baptist Church, 920 Warrington Ave, Danville, IL. A service will follow at 11:00 with pastors Gary Geer II and Allan Rudie officiating. Her final resting place will be Oak Hill Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville. Please join us in remembering Anna Mae by posting pictures, videos, and memories to her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com. Memorial donations in her name can be made out to Fundamental Baptist World-wide Mission to support Donald and Hannah Cooper.