Rebecca Cooper

Rebecca Cooper was a devoted mother and wife and strong inspiration to all who knew her. Rebecca Cooper was born to the late Will Starkey and Betty Sue Osborne on February 5, 1933 in Marion, Alabama and departed this life August 22, 2025. She was the second oldest child and she received the Lord at an early age. She married Glover Morish and together they had a son Robert Lewis; both preceded her in death. Her oldest brother, Willie Starkey preceded her in death.

She remembers seeing Martin Luther King Jr. walking down the dirt road to court her cousin Coretta Scott, who lived in Marion. Later she moved to Detroit. Michigan in search of greater opportunities for work, where she was employed by Plymouth State Home as a housekeeper. She met and married Hubert (“Les”) Cooper, and they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained happily until his death on May 1, 2012. She was employed in housekeeping management at Cleveland State University for many years. Upon retirement, she and Les became devoted and loving foster parents, especially to Marquan for many years and Tommy for two years. Rebecca became involved with Temple of Praise Church prayer line with Bishop John Pitts and Confession of Faith prayer line with Evangelis Ella Walked, including Monday through Friday morning prayers, Thursday night bible study, Sunday School and Church Services for over eight years. Living alone and generally housebound, it was an important tie with the outside world.

Rebecca leaves to cherish her memories two brothers Johnny Lee (Henrene) Starkey of Cleveland, Ohio, George Starkey of Canton, Michigan; three sisters, Betty Starkey, Susie Washington, Marie White of Detroit Michigan; her cousin Ella Walker of Inkster Michigan; her foster sons Thomas Johnson of Spokane, Washington (adoptive parents Carol and Kim Johnson of Austin, Texas) and Marquan Barnes of Cleveland, Ohio (foster mother Gwendolyn Jones); her long-time aide and friend Doretha (Aaron) Martin of Cleveland Ohio, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family of Rececca Cooper sincerely appreciates your kind expressions of sympathy and prayers petitioned on our behalf. We thank you for many acts of kindness you have showed. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve who so lovingly cared for her at

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