Dr. Marguerite Barrier Cooper, "Dr. Mom", wife of Harold G. Cooper deceased, mother of Joseph M. Cooper and Susan Cooper Wilson, departed to be with her maker on July 3, 2014. She was the daughter of Lloyd and Tuppy Barrier, born in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina in Jonas Ridge, and the oldest of 2 brothers and 4 sisters. She attended Crossnore School, Woman''s College of North Carolina (University of North Carolina) obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry in 1937. After raising a family, she went back to Memphis State University (University of Memphis) in 1964 to get a Master''s Degree in Chemistry which she received in 1968. She continued her education at Memphis State and received her Doctorate Degree in Chemistry in 1974. She was the first female to receive a Doctoral degree in Chemistry at Memphis State. Teaching was always her way and desire to help others. She taught as a Graduate Assistant at Memphis State, and in 1976 Christian Brothers College (Christian Brothers University) offered her a Chemistry teaching job. She worked until the ripe age of 91 years young and retired in 2009. She was named by Marolyn Howe, one of her students, as Dr. Mom and it stuck. She wore a chemistry lab jacket with Dr. Mom monogrammed on it throughout her career. Marguerite devoted her life to God, Jesus Christ, family, church and teaching others. The Cooper-Wilson Center for Life Sciences Building at Christian Brothers University was named in her honor. Dr. Cooper was honored in 2007 as one of the Distinguished Alumni of the University of Memphis and again in 2012 as one of the 100 Women who have contributed to the vitality of the University of Memphis since its'' founding in 1912. She was awarded the Brother Dominic Dunn Service Award in 1994 at CBU for her extraordinary appreciation for the art of learning, especially the sciences discipline, and challenging your students and colleagues who fondly call you "Mom" and respectfully "Little Old Lady". They describe you as vigorous, dynamic and brilliant.

She was a member of Mullins United Methodist Church for 56 years and attended La Grange Methodist Church in her later years. Marguerite leaves behind grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and extended family. Many former students of the Chemistry Department of Christian Brothers University will feel the loss of Doctor Mom. The funeral service celebrating the life of Marguerite will be held at Mullins United Methodist Church with visitation beginning at 12 p.m. until service begins at 1 p.m. on July 8, 2014. Interment will follow at Forest Hill East Cemetery on Whitten Road. Beginning at 4:30 p.m. a celebration and story telling of Dr. Mom''s life will be at the Holiday Inn, University of Memphis. She requested memorials be sent to Mullins United Methodist Church or Christian Brothers University for the benefit of the Cooper-Wilson Center for Life Sciences Building.

Forest Hill East Funeral Home 901-382-1000