A Celebration of Life LINDA ALFREDA MENDENHALL-COOPER December 1, 1958January 26, 2021 Thursday, February 4, 2021 Eleven Oclock in the Morning PALMER MEMORIAL CHAPEL 1200 Fontaine Place Columbia, South Carolina 29223 LIFE REFLECTIONS Linda Alfreda Mendenhall-Cooper departed this earthly life on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at her resi- dence in Elgin, South Carolina. Bom on December 1, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Elroy Mendenhall and Johncie Smith Mendenhall. As the middle daughter of three, Marian Patricia Mendenhall Sim- mons and Kim Evette Key called her their beloved sister. She shared a life of love with Stanley Lathorne Cooper whom she married on March 30, 1996. She was the cherished daughter of her mother and father-in-law, Kathryn and Mose Cooper, Jr. Linda attended and graduated from Langley Bath Clearwater High School (1976) in Aiken County, where she was a cheerleader. She then attended South Carolina State College (University) in the Class of 1980 where she gradu- ated with a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. At SCSC, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Alpha Xi Chapter as part of the 18 Enchanted Angels 1980 pledge line. She loved the sisterhood of her sorority. Also while at SCSC she was a proud Bulldog cheerleader and continued on the alumni squad, Bulldog Cheerleader for Life. She loved cheering and in many ways she never stopped, as she was always known to cheer others on in their life endeavors. After she completed her degree at SCSC, she worked with the United States Forestry Service in Ohio, and later she joined Delta Airlines as a flight attendant (June 6, 1981). Asa Delta employee, she was based in New Orle- ans, Dallas, Cincinnati, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles. She was an on-board Flight Leader and a NBA Charter Flight Attendant. She truly enjoyed being a flight attendant and enjoyed supporting the Los Angeles Lakers. Linda traveled the world with Delta for nearly forty years, traveling both domestically and internationally. This provided her with another opportunity to cheer others on and make them smile. Raised in the church, her faith was strong. Linda lived in Dallas, Texas, for many years where she attended St. Luke United Methodist Church. After moving to California, she attended In His Presence Church in Woodland Hills. Later, she joined Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, where she served on the Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee (SPPRC). Linda was well-known for her faith, as she would pray for anyone at any time or any place. She loved the Lord and shared her belief with everyone she met. She and her husband Stanley recently left their beloved California to return home to South Carolina, calling Elgin their new home, to start their lives of rest and leisure together (a time cut short). In addition to her parents, she was preceded in this final journey by her beloved in-laws, Kathryn and Mose Cooper, Jr. Linda leaves to cherish precious memories her husband, Stanley Lathorne Cooper; two sisters: Marian Patricia Mendenhall Simmons and Kim Evette Key; three nephews: Zachary Fitzgerald Simmons, James Chatman Key, and Leroy Antoine Williams, Jr; five nieces: Kiah Renee (Troy) Bachman, Jasmine Evette Swearinger, Janeava Alexandria Key, Victoria Elizabeth Brown, and Meredith Cooper Brown; six aunts: Gwendolyn (Monroe) White, Wilhelmina (Matthew, III) Brown, Gloria (Curtis) Richardson, Virginia Mendenhall, Ruby Smith and Bright Smith; two sisters-in-law: Carolyn Cooper (Leroy) Williams and Sandra Gail (Victor) Brown; a host of cousins; her sisters in the B Phi B; her Bulldog Cheerleaders for Life sisters; and her sisters in Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Xi and Pasadena Alumnae Chapters. THE ORDER OF SERVICE (JLede/vend. (De. jEa/2i TDifJte/Mjicioa, O^touUXag, The Call to Worship Prayer Scripture Readings Old Testament Proverbs 31:10-31 New Testament I Corinthians 15:50-58 Funneaser Jacobs Deborah Herring Pat Simmons, sister Reflections Friend/Sister Delta Airlines/Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Family Words of Comfort Reverend Dr. Lavem Witherspoon Selection When We See Jesus Keith Pringle Special Presentation Palmer Memorial Chapel Benediction (5cMTimiFta cm3 $ina (Benediction Florence National Cemetery 803 E National Cemetery Road Florence, South Carolina 29506 GRATEFUL BLESSINGS The Cooper and Mendenhall families are filled with gratitude at the outpouring of love and well wishes sent to us from all over the nation and beyond. Linda was a grand spirit with a large but humble personality, to whom no one was ever a stranger. She would always say, 'Lets pray and give thanks. So it is our prayer that each and every one of you will feel our sincerity in wishing you good will. Thank you for sharing with us countless tributes, along with pictures and memories you ve shared of Linda. Again thank you, and may the grace ofGod cover and protect you. Sincerely, the Cooper and Mendenhall families The Train Has Come The twilight of life has ushered in another chapter. The journey is not over, for eternity is its destination. Last stop, In His presence forever more. My ticket is for a later time. And though you journey on before me, You will forever be in this heart of mine. My tears are not for your departure, But for the fact that you have left my side. 1 know that youre in sweet rest, For in His love you do abide. Until my train enters the station And I board it with one last fare, Ill sing of sweet remembrance Of the time on earth we shared. Pat PALMER MEMORIAL CHAPEL Licensed Pre-Arrangement and Pre-Need Funeral Consultants www.palmermemorialchapel.com 1200 Fontaine Place Columbia, SC 29223 (803) 786-6300 Lorin Peri Palmer, CPC, Senior Funeral Director Palmer A.D. Fielding, Funeral Director Headlights should be turned on while driving in the funeral procession 304 South Main Sumter, SC 29150 803) 773-3381