Barbara Cooper (politician)

Cooper died on October 25, 2022, at the age of 93. She was survived by her daughters, Reverend Joan Cooper Burnett and Tanya Cooper, and extended family. Barbara Cooper was predeceased by her son, Carl Cooper. The deceased Barbara Cooper won the election in the 86th electoral district. Her seat in the State House of Representatives will remain vacant until the authorities appoint a replacement.

Cooper was born in the New Chicago area in the district of North Memphis. Cooper graduated from Manassas High School in Memphis, Tennessee. She also graduated from Tennessee State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master's degree in Education. She was a Memphis City Schools teacher. Cooper graduated with a Doctorate of Religious Philosophy in Christian psychology, from Jacksonville Theological Seminary (Jacksonville, Florida) in 1999.

In 1994, Cooper ran for the Tennessee House of Representatives in the 90th district, and lost to John DeBerry in the Democratic Party's primary election. Cooper ran for the 86th district seat in the Tennessee House to succeed Rufus E. Jones, who did not run for reelection, in 1996. Cooper won primary election out of nine candidates.

Cooper later became involved in Memphis politics, serving as the chair of the African-American People's Organization. They organized a convention that aided W. W. Herenton's election as mayor of Memphis, Tennessee, in the 1991 election and encouraged civic engagement with the Shelby County Democratic Party.

In 1951, she married John D. Cooper, one of the first Black firemen in the Memphis Fire Department; they had three children. John D. Cooper died in 2006, after 55 years of marriage.

Barbara Lee Cooper (née Ward; August 4, 1929 – October 25, 2022) was an American politician and a Democratic member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 86th District.