Norma Dean Cooper
Norma Dean Cooper, born on October 1, 1931, in Scottsboro, Alabama, to James Clelon Hillian and Era Agnes (Linville) Hillian, passed away on August 3, 2024. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and a family that will forever cherish her memory.
Known to her large family as "Si," Norma was the longest-lived and most stubborn child in a large and lively family, outliving two sisters and four brothers—a true testament to her grit and resilience, hallmarks of her Sand Mountain, Al., roots. Her life was a tapestry of warm Southern charm, infectious humor that never failed to bring a smile, and unending devotion to driving everyone around her absolutely crazy. She was the beloved wife of the late Lee Jackson Cooper, who once remarked that his "best move in life was marrying Norma," one of the few things they ever agreed on. Widely regarded as "the prettiest girl in Alabama," this petite firecracker left a trail of broken-hearted suitors across the tri-state area. Norma's beauty was matched only by her kindness and generosity.
Si's heart and home were always open to her daughters Leesa Kerns (husband Bill), Pat Holcomb (husband Tim), and her son Lee Jackson Cooper II. Her love for them was boundless, and it extended further to a cadre of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will spend the rest of their lives missing her warm hugs, her biscuit and gravy breakfasts, and her unmistakably southern sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m. at Hamilton Funeral Home. In keeping with tradition, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send someone you love a check for $12 marked “Love Si.”
Norma Dean Cooper's life was a beautiful, winding journey filled with love, humor, and a steadfast dedication to her family. She will be remembered fondly and missed dearly, and the legacy of her love and her life is permanently marked in the lives of all who knew and loved her.