Mattie Mae Cooper

Mattie Mae Cooper was born in St. Charles, SC on October 5, 1954, to the late Christine Cooper Loney and the late James Harry, Sr. Mattie departed this life on February 8, 2023, at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City Philadelphia with the love of her life, Shawn Salley and her eldest son, Dr. Brian C. Cooper at her bedside.

Mattie’s early childhood was spent with her great-grandparents, Addie and Frank Cooper in St. Charles, SC. After the death of her great-grandmother, Mattie moved to Baltimore, MD and then subsequently to Philadelphia, PA with her mother, where she began attending Philadelphia Public Schools. Mattie graduated from Overbrook High School in June of 1972 and then went on to continue her studies at Paine College in Augusta, GA, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in August of 1977. Mattie gave birth to her first son, Brian, in November of 1977. Fueled by the responsibilities of motherhood, Mattie was compelled to take on two jobs and earn an additional RN degree at Hahnemann School of Allied Health Professions. Mattie successfully obtained her nursing degree in 1980.

Immediately after completion of her RN degree program, Mattie secured her first position as a Registered Nurse with Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia, PA; the entire family was brimming with pride. Mattie remained at Graduate Hospital until it closed in 1996. Her professional career continued when she was asked to join the nursing team at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City Philadelphia, where she remained for another 19 years. Mattie began working towards her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to meet the demands of a changing occupational landscape; she completed her BSN in 2018. She continued nursing at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA for a couple of years, but eventually left hospital nursing in pursuit of less physically rigorous health-related and nursing-adjacent positions, including working at a homeless    shelter until her declining health forced her to retire from professional life.

Mattie pledged and subsequently became a member of Eta Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., in the spring of 1976, while in attendance at Paine College in Augusta, GA. Mattie was Line Sister #3, of the “Sacrificing Four”, which included Donaval Mitchell #1, Pat Tremble Gilchrist #2, and Sabrina Blackwell #4. She strolled with dignity and pride.

In August 1989, Mattie married the late James Allen Frank Sr. of Philadelphia, PA. From that union, her second son, James A. Frank, Jr, was born. After many years, the couple separated and later divorced.

Mattie united with Shawn Salley in 1995. Having children of similar ages, Mattie and Shawn created blended family experiences to bond their two families together. Mattie, Shawn, and the kids travelled extensively throughout the continental United States; those travels included cross-country roundtrips to destinations such as Montana, Maine, and Florida. She even went kayaking once and vowed to never do it again! Mattie was Shawn’s assistant coach in the Taney baseball league and had a championship team which included their children and her niece, Jasmine Pinkins and her nephew, Jeffrey Andrepoint. She also helped organize the MMTBC baseball league and became head coach for the Homestead Grays.

 Mattie was a devoted fan of all the Philadelphia Sports Teams, and especially the Eagles. Shawn’s love of horses inspired Mattie and Shawn to acquire property in New Jersey with a stable and land to raise and ride horses. Mattie thoroughly enjoyed co-hosting events at the home where family members and children could ride the horses and ponies, but most importantly, eat! Mattie loved to cook and could give Betty Crocker a run for her money with her homemade cakes and pies.

Mattie joined Nazareth Baptist Church in South Philadelphia with her mother, Christine, upon arriving to the city. Mattie and her sisters attended church services and Sunday School faithful, every Sunday, and very often remained until the 6pm service. Mattie was one of the head ushers on the Junior Usher Board at Nazareth. As a mature adult, Mattie transferred her membership to 46th Street Baptist Church, where she served as President of the Health Ministry, which she started in 2005.

She also served as chair of the Unity Day Committee on several occasions, remained a devoted member of the Willing Workers Ministry to her dying day, and also served as secretary for a stint.

Being a very fashionable dresser, Mattie loved to craft ensembles to match members from her bespoke hat collection. She was also known for coming in ‘fashionably late’ and heading to her reserved seat in the same place every Sunday.

Mattie thoroughly enjoyed shopping, including thrift shopping.  She routinely had “great finds” for herself as well as others, either purchasing items on the spot for them or calling to tell someone about them.

Finally, Mattie was a very conscientious citizen, and as such, was extremely politically-active in her community. She was a member of the Democratic City Committee and a Committeewoman for the 2nd Ward, Fourth Division in South Philadelphia from 2010 to 2018. She also worked as Judge of Elections every election Day and was very active with voter registration in her community.

Mattie leaves to mourn her passing, her devoted companion, Shawn Salley, her sons, Dr. Brian C. Cooper, Ph.D.(Matthew) and James A. Frank; sons-in-love Shawn Salley, Shane Salley, and Cory Black; daughters-in-love Shawna Reeves (Jeffrey) and Jaquaya  Salley; grandchildren-in-love, Mikel,  Bahiyah, King, Malana, Montana, Su’ad “Sudi Sue” and Sa’ud; Five sisters: Carrie L. Fox (Barry), Washington, DC; Margrette Anderpoint, Robinette “Robin” Nixon (Tony) of  Philadelphia, Terry L. Jones(Haneef) of Wilkes Barre, PA;  and Gloria Freeman (Harrison) of Fort Pierce, FL.; Four  brothers: Wilbur Harry, Clifton Harry(Chachy), Roosevelt Harry, and Robert Howard, also of Fort Pierce FL.

A fifth brother, James Harry, Jr., and one brother-in-law, Edmund “Andre/Jeffrey” Andrepoint preceded her in death. One great aunt, Essie Plowden of Washington, DC; One goddaughter, Ebony Joi Franklin; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; and special/lifelong friends, Debra, Annita, Mary, Michelle, Addie, Denise, Janice, Lisa, Yvonne, Shirley, Ruby etc.

                                                                     Repast immediately following interment at 46th Street Baptist Church.

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