SHIRLEY COOPER Shirley (Ballinger) Cooper, 75, of Willows, passed away on March 23, 2021. She was born and raised in Chico and graduated from Chico High School in 1963. She and her husband, Ron, were married for 51 years and have lived in Willows for the past 42 years. She is survived by her husband Ron, and their children, Stacy Russell (Joe,) Wendy Caulkins, Scott Cooper (Traci,) Laura Cooper, and Amy Street (Tim,) along with 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held in Willows at the Willows Cemetery on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11 A.M. For the full obituary and an opportunity to share memories with the family, please go to www.brusiefh.com.
Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Mar. 28, 2021.
*************************
In 1943, a beautiful island girl from Bermuda, Laura Linhares, fell in love and married a handsome, red-headed, American, Navy sailor, Robert "Red" Ballinger. While in Bermuda, they had a son named Dennis, and then, in February of 1945, while pregnant, Laura immigrated to the United States and moved to Chico, California. Five months later, on July 15th, 1945, Shirley Ann Ballinger was born. (Shirley never understood why her mother didn't wait to immigrate until after she was born so that she could say that she was born in Bermuda.) Bob and Laura later had two more sons, Robert and Gregory.
"Red" Ballinger was the park foreman of Bidwell Park in Chico, CA and the Ballinger family had the privilege of living in the Park House within Bidwell Park. (The Chico Nature Center is now located where the house once stood.) Shirley loved the park! She loved helping feed the animals in the little zoo, especially the baby deer. She spent her summers running barefooted, playing in the creek, and swimming at the pool. In high school, she worked at the pool snack bar. Her parents often hosted family get-togethers in their home, where everyone either played instruments, sang, or told highly-entertaining stories that had everyone laughing. Shirley loved these gatherings and also loved the many rides in the family Jeep.
Shirley graduated from Chico High School in 1963. She temporarily moved to Sacramento, where she was a telephone operator. She was working as a telephone operator the day that President Kennedy was shot-- the entire switchboard was lit up with calls for the State Capital.
In 1964, Shirley gave birth to a little girl, Wendy. As time passed, it was evident that something was different about Wendy. It wasn't until Wendy was nearly 2 years old that doctors told Shirley that Wendy was deaf. The doctors told Shirley to "sit on her hands" and not learn sign language because it "wouldn't help Wendy." Thankfully, Shirley, being the rebel that she was, didn't listen to the doctors' advice and began taking American Sign Language classes because she wanted to be able to communicate with her daughter. Shirley learned ASL and discovered that she was highly gifted at the language. She was not only able to communicate with her daughter, but she became well-known in the deaf community as an amazing and highly-skilled interpreter, whose signs were easy to understand and incredibly clear, accurate, graceful, and with great expression. Shirley decided that God gave her this gift and she was going to use it as part of her ministry and service to others. She also joked that God gave her the gift of signing so that others wouldn't have to listen to her sing.
In 1968, Shirley was encouraged by mutual friends to go on a blind date with a single dad who worked as a barber in Chico. She was told he was 6'4" with a great sense of humor. One of those facts was correct. She opened the door and looked up… then looked down. And there was Ronald Cooper. Though his stature wasn't what she was told, she was highly impressed with his quick wit and dry sense of humor. He took her to the nicest restaurant at the time, "Mike and Eddie's." She agreed to a second date, even though he wasn't 6'4" and had facial hair.
On August 23, 1969, Ron and Shirley were married. A couple of years later, Ron bought a barbershop in the town of Hamilton City and they bought their first home. In 1973, they welcomed their first child together, Laura. They joked that they now had "His, Mine, and Ours" when it came to their children. Ron worked long hours at the barbershop while Shirley took care of their children and babysat children of their friends.
In 1974, Ron and Shirley decided to attend their first Family Camp at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. This quickly became an annual tradition, along with eating at Eric's Deli in Scott's Valley and going to the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. It has been here, at Mount Hermon, that not only have traditions been established, but many friendships, memories, and recommitments to the Lord have been made. Shirley called it her "home away from home." This wonderful place has become a "home away from home" for many members of the family, including grandchildren.
In 1977, Ron sold the barbershop and took a job at John's Manville. In 1978, Ron and Shirley welcomed another daughter, Amy, sold their house in Hamilton City, and purchased a home in Willows. Shirley wanted a house with tall peaks, and she got it. Ron and Shirley became members of the First Baptist Church in Willows and volunteered as youth sponsors. The youth group met regularly at their home, and Ron and Shirley hosted and chaperoned many of their activities and trips.
When Amy was about 3 years old, Shirley asked her, "Do you want me to stay home with you or do you want to go to a babysitter while Mommy works?"
Amy responded, "Go to work! I want to go to my friend's house!"
Shirley took the job as a yard duty supervisor with the Willows Unified School District. She later became an ELD aide, where she got to work with students who were learning English as a second language. She then became the library clerk at Willows Intermediate School. She loved being able to read and purchase new books for the school library. After years of working as the library clerk, Shirley became a secretary at Willows High School. While working full-time for the school district, she also worked as a part-time American Sign Language instructor for Shasta College, teaching in Corning and Red Bluff. She was also hired by the Evangelical Free Church of Chico as a sign language interpreter for the deaf. After working at the high school, Shirley got the job as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of WUSD. She retired from the Willows Unified School District in 2009.
In her retirement, Shirley chose to volunteer her time in many ways. Along with volunteering in classrooms, creating cards, writing encouraging notes to friends, and babysitting grandchildren, she worked as a deaconess at Willows Christian Church, where she also worked as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school co-superintendent, Christmas program director, and the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Ministry Organizer. She helped with fundraisers and decorating and led multiple Bible studies. She continued to interpret for Wendy, gave several Communion meditations, and occasionally signed in front of the church as her daughter Amy sang. Shirley's love for the Lord was shown in the many ways she volunteered her time, but also in how she showed love, kindness, and respect to everyone she met.
Together, Ron and Shirley have five children, twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Shirley loved all of her "babies" so much and made sure they all knew it. She made them homemade cards, attended their sporting events, plays, concerts, birthday parties, and fundraisers. She treasured every picture drawn for her and every song sung to her. She read, played, cooked, baked, painted, beachcombed, gardened, sang, laughed, and cried with them. She always gave the best advice and the best hugs. She truly had a gift for encouraging others. Everyone who was friends with a child or grandchild of Shirley became part of the family. Anyone who attended church with Shirley, became family. Anyone she worked with, became family. Shirley made sure everyone around her felt important and loved.
Shirley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2018. While this disease and its treatments were awful, Shirley never lost her faith in the Lord. She often said, "If the Lord brings you to it, He will bring you through it." Shirley shared her faith with nearly everyone she met after her diagnosis: doctors, nurses, physical therapists, fellow patients, family, friends, strangers. She knew that even if the Lord called her home, it wasn't the end. She had peace. She had strength. And it showed. She handled everything with grace, humility, and a sense of humor.
Shirley left this world for her Heavenly home on March 23, 2021, at the age of 75. She is survived by her husband Ron, five children: Stacy Russel (Joe), Wendy Caulkins, Scott Cooper(Traci), Laura Cooper, and Amy Street(Tim), twelve grandchildren: Tim, Megan, Jon, Donovan, Dalton, Dallas, Kishi, Alan, Marcus, Olivia, Matthew, and Jacob, six great-grandchildren, her mother: Laura Driver, her brothers: Dennis, Bob, and Greg, and a multitude of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. With the Lord by her side, Shirley brought us laughter, joy, beauty, and love.
Shirley Ann Cooper made this world a better place.
Shirley's graveside service will be held at the Willows Cemetery on April 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. Please wear your mask when social distancing is not possible and feel free to bring a chair as seating is very limited.
Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Mar. 28, 2021.
*************************
In 1943, a beautiful island girl from Bermuda, Laura Linhares, fell in love and married a handsome, red-headed, American, Navy sailor, Robert "Red" Ballinger. While in Bermuda, they had a son named Dennis, and then, in February of 1945, while pregnant, Laura immigrated to the United States and moved to Chico, California. Five months later, on July 15th, 1945, Shirley Ann Ballinger was born. (Shirley never understood why her mother didn't wait to immigrate until after she was born so that she could say that she was born in Bermuda.) Bob and Laura later had two more sons, Robert and Gregory.
"Red" Ballinger was the park foreman of Bidwell Park in Chico, CA and the Ballinger family had the privilege of living in the Park House within Bidwell Park. (The Chico Nature Center is now located where the house once stood.) Shirley loved the park! She loved helping feed the animals in the little zoo, especially the baby deer. She spent her summers running barefooted, playing in the creek, and swimming at the pool. In high school, she worked at the pool snack bar. Her parents often hosted family get-togethers in their home, where everyone either played instruments, sang, or told highly-entertaining stories that had everyone laughing. Shirley loved these gatherings and also loved the many rides in the family Jeep.
Shirley graduated from Chico High School in 1963. She temporarily moved to Sacramento, where she was a telephone operator. She was working as a telephone operator the day that President Kennedy was shot-- the entire switchboard was lit up with calls for the State Capital.
In 1964, Shirley gave birth to a little girl, Wendy. As time passed, it was evident that something was different about Wendy. It wasn't until Wendy was nearly 2 years old that doctors told Shirley that Wendy was deaf. The doctors told Shirley to "sit on her hands" and not learn sign language because it "wouldn't help Wendy." Thankfully, Shirley, being the rebel that she was, didn't listen to the doctors' advice and began taking American Sign Language classes because she wanted to be able to communicate with her daughter. Shirley learned ASL and discovered that she was highly gifted at the language. She was not only able to communicate with her daughter, but she became well-known in the deaf community as an amazing and highly-skilled interpreter, whose signs were easy to understand and incredibly clear, accurate, graceful, and with great expression. Shirley decided that God gave her this gift and she was going to use it as part of her ministry and service to others. She also joked that God gave her the gift of signing so that others wouldn't have to listen to her sing.
In 1968, Shirley was encouraged by mutual friends to go on a blind date with a single dad who worked as a barber in Chico. She was told he was 6'4" with a great sense of humor. One of those facts was correct. She opened the door and looked up… then looked down. And there was Ronald Cooper. Though his stature wasn't what she was told, she was highly impressed with his quick wit and dry sense of humor. He took her to the nicest restaurant at the time, "Mike and Eddie's." She agreed to a second date, even though he wasn't 6'4" and had facial hair.
On August 23, 1969, Ron and Shirley were married. A couple of years later, Ron bought a barbershop in the town of Hamilton City and they bought their first home. In 1973, they welcomed their first child together, Laura. They joked that they now had "His, Mine, and Ours" when it came to their children. Ron worked long hours at the barbershop while Shirley took care of their children and babysat children of their friends.
In 1974, Ron and Shirley decided to attend their first Family Camp at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. This quickly became an annual tradition, along with eating at Eric's Deli in Scott's Valley and going to the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. It has been here, at Mount Hermon, that not only have traditions been established, but many friendships, memories, and recommitments to the Lord have been made. Shirley called it her "home away from home." This wonderful place has become a "home away from home" for many members of the family, including grandchildren.
In 1977, Ron sold the barbershop and took a job at John's Manville. In 1978, Ron and Shirley welcomed another daughter, Amy, sold their house in Hamilton City, and purchased a home in Willows. Shirley wanted a house with tall peaks, and she got it. Ron and Shirley became members of the First Baptist Church in Willows and volunteered as youth sponsors. The youth group met regularly at their home, and Ron and Shirley hosted and chaperoned many of their activities and trips.
When Amy was about 3 years old, Shirley asked her, "Do you want me to stay home with you or do you want to go to a babysitter while Mommy works?"
Amy responded, "Go to work! I want to go to my friend's house!"
Shirley took the job as a yard duty supervisor with the Willows Unified School District. She later became an ELD aide, where she got to work with students who were learning English as a second language. She then became the library clerk at Willows Intermediate School. She loved being able to read and purchase new books for the school library. After years of working as the library clerk, Shirley became a secretary at Willows High School. While working full-time for the school district, she also worked as a part-time American Sign Language instructor for Shasta College, teaching in Corning and Red Bluff. She was also hired by the Evangelical Free Church of Chico as a sign language interpreter for the deaf. After working at the high school, Shirley got the job as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of WUSD. She retired from the Willows Unified School District in 2009.
In her retirement, Shirley chose to volunteer her time in many ways. Along with volunteering in classrooms, creating cards, writing encouraging notes to friends, and babysitting grandchildren, she worked as a deaconess at Willows Christian Church, where she also worked as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school co-superintendent, Christmas program director, and the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Ministry Organizer. She helped with fundraisers and decorating and led multiple Bible studies. She continued to interpret for Wendy, gave several Communion meditations, and occasionally signed in front of the church as her daughter Amy sang. Shirley's love for the Lord was shown in the many ways she volunteered her time, but also in how she showed love, kindness, and respect to everyone she met.
Together, Ron and Shirley have five children, twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Shirley loved all of her "babies" so much and made sure they all knew it. She made them homemade cards, attended their sporting events, plays, concerts, birthday parties, and fundraisers. She treasured every picture drawn for her and every song sung to her. She read, played, cooked, baked, painted, beachcombed, gardened, sang, laughed, and cried with them. She always gave the best advice and the best hugs. She truly had a gift for encouraging others. Everyone who was friends with a child or grandchild of Shirley became part of the family. Anyone who attended church with Shirley, became family. Anyone she worked with, became family. Shirley made sure everyone around her felt important and loved.
Shirley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2018. While this disease and its treatments were awful, Shirley never lost her faith in the Lord. She often said, "If the Lord brings you to it, He will bring you through it." Shirley shared her faith with nearly everyone she met after her diagnosis: doctors, nurses, physical therapists, fellow patients, family, friends, strangers. She knew that even if the Lord called her home, it wasn't the end. She had peace. She had strength. And it showed. She handled everything with grace, humility, and a sense of humor.
Shirley left this world for her Heavenly home on March 23, 2021, at the age of 75. She is survived by her husband Ron, five children: Stacy Russel (Joe), Wendy Caulkins, Scott Cooper(Traci), Laura Cooper, and Amy Street(Tim), twelve grandchildren: Tim, Megan, Jon, Donovan, Dalton, Dallas, Kishi, Alan, Marcus, Olivia, Matthew, and Jacob, six great-grandchildren, her mother: Laura Driver, her brothers: Dennis, Bob, and Greg, and a multitude of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. With the Lord by her side, Shirley brought us laughter, joy, beauty, and love.
Shirley Ann Cooper made this world a better place.
Shirley's graveside service will be held at the Willows Cemetery on April 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. Please wear your mask when social distancing is not possible and feel free to bring a chair as seating is very limited.
SHIRLEY COOPER Shirley (Ballinger) Cooper, 75, of Willows, passed away on March 23, 2021. She was born and raised in Chico and graduated from Chico High School in 1963. She and her husband, Ron, were married for 51 years and have lived in Willows for the past 42 years. She is survived by her husband Ron, and their children, Stacy Russell (Joe,) Wendy Caulkins, Scott Cooper (Traci,) Laura Cooper, and Amy Street (Tim,) along with 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held in Willows at the Willows Cemetery on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at 11 A.M. For the full obituary and an opportunity to share memories with the family, please go to www.brusiefh.com.
Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Mar. 28, 2021.
*************************
In 1943, a beautiful island girl from Bermuda, Laura Linhares, fell in love and married a handsome, red-headed, American, Navy sailor, Robert "Red" Ballinger. While in Bermuda, they had a son named Dennis, and then, in February of 1945, while pregnant, Laura immigrated to the United States and moved to Chico, California. Five months later, on July 15th, 1945, Shirley Ann Ballinger was born. (Shirley never understood why her mother didn't wait to immigrate until after she was born so that she could say that she was born in Bermuda.) Bob and Laura later had two more sons, Robert and Gregory.
"Red" Ballinger was the park foreman of Bidwell Park in Chico, CA and the Ballinger family had the privilege of living in the Park House within Bidwell Park. (The Chico Nature Center is now located where the house once stood.) Shirley loved the park! She loved helping feed the animals in the little zoo, especially the baby deer. She spent her summers running barefooted, playing in the creek, and swimming at the pool. In high school, she worked at the pool snack bar. Her parents often hosted family get-togethers in their home, where everyone either played instruments, sang, or told highly-entertaining stories that had everyone laughing. Shirley loved these gatherings and also loved the many rides in the family Jeep.
Shirley graduated from Chico High School in 1963. She temporarily moved to Sacramento, where she was a telephone operator. She was working as a telephone operator the day that President Kennedy was shot-- the entire switchboard was lit up with calls for the State Capital.
In 1964, Shirley gave birth to a little girl, Wendy. As time passed, it was evident that something was different about Wendy. It wasn't until Wendy was nearly 2 years old that doctors told Shirley that Wendy was deaf. The doctors told Shirley to "sit on her hands" and not learn sign language because it "wouldn't help Wendy." Thankfully, Shirley, being the rebel that she was, didn't listen to the doctors' advice and began taking American Sign Language classes because she wanted to be able to communicate with her daughter. Shirley learned ASL and discovered that she was highly gifted at the language. She was not only able to communicate with her daughter, but she became well-known in the deaf community as an amazing and highly-skilled interpreter, whose signs were easy to understand and incredibly clear, accurate, graceful, and with great expression. Shirley decided that God gave her this gift and she was going to use it as part of her ministry and service to others. She also joked that God gave her the gift of signing so that others wouldn't have to listen to her sing.
In 1968, Shirley was encouraged by mutual friends to go on a blind date with a single dad who worked as a barber in Chico. She was told he was 6'4" with a great sense of humor. One of those facts was correct. She opened the door and looked up… then looked down. And there was Ronald Cooper. Though his stature wasn't what she was told, she was highly impressed with his quick wit and dry sense of humor. He took her to the nicest restaurant at the time, "Mike and Eddie's." She agreed to a second date, even though he wasn't 6'4" and had facial hair.
On August 23, 1969, Ron and Shirley were married. A couple of years later, Ron bought a barbershop in the town of Hamilton City and they bought their first home. In 1973, they welcomed their first child together, Laura. They joked that they now had "His, Mine, and Ours" when it came to their children. Ron worked long hours at the barbershop while Shirley took care of their children and babysat children of their friends.
In 1974, Ron and Shirley decided to attend their first Family Camp at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. This quickly became an annual tradition, along with eating at Eric's Deli in Scott's Valley and going to the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. It has been here, at Mount Hermon, that not only have traditions been established, but many friendships, memories, and recommitments to the Lord have been made. Shirley called it her "home away from home." This wonderful place has become a "home away from home" for many members of the family, including grandchildren.
In 1977, Ron sold the barbershop and took a job at John's Manville. In 1978, Ron and Shirley welcomed another daughter, Amy, sold their house in Hamilton City, and purchased a home in Willows. Shirley wanted a house with tall peaks, and she got it. Ron and Shirley became members of the First Baptist Church in Willows and volunteered as youth sponsors. The youth group met regularly at their home, and Ron and Shirley hosted and chaperoned many of their activities and trips.
When Amy was about 3 years old, Shirley asked her, "Do you want me to stay home with you or do you want to go to a babysitter while Mommy works?"
Amy responded, "Go to work! I want to go to my friend's house!"
Shirley took the job as a yard duty supervisor with the Willows Unified School District. She later became an ELD aide, where she got to work with students who were learning English as a second language. She then became the library clerk at Willows Intermediate School. She loved being able to read and purchase new books for the school library. After years of working as the library clerk, Shirley became a secretary at Willows High School. While working full-time for the school district, she also worked as a part-time American Sign Language instructor for Shasta College, teaching in Corning and Red Bluff. She was also hired by the Evangelical Free Church of Chico as a sign language interpreter for the deaf. After working at the high school, Shirley got the job as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of WUSD. She retired from the Willows Unified School District in 2009.
In her retirement, Shirley chose to volunteer her time in many ways. Along with volunteering in classrooms, creating cards, writing encouraging notes to friends, and babysitting grandchildren, she worked as a deaconess at Willows Christian Church, where she also worked as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school co-superintendent, Christmas program director, and the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Ministry Organizer. She helped with fundraisers and decorating and led multiple Bible studies. She continued to interpret for Wendy, gave several Communion meditations, and occasionally signed in front of the church as her daughter Amy sang. Shirley's love for the Lord was shown in the many ways she volunteered her time, but also in how she showed love, kindness, and respect to everyone she met.
Together, Ron and Shirley have five children, twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Shirley loved all of her "babies" so much and made sure they all knew it. She made them homemade cards, attended their sporting events, plays, concerts, birthday parties, and fundraisers. She treasured every picture drawn for her and every song sung to her. She read, played, cooked, baked, painted, beachcombed, gardened, sang, laughed, and cried with them. She always gave the best advice and the best hugs. She truly had a gift for encouraging others. Everyone who was friends with a child or grandchild of Shirley became part of the family. Anyone who attended church with Shirley, became family. Anyone she worked with, became family. Shirley made sure everyone around her felt important and loved.
Shirley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2018. While this disease and its treatments were awful, Shirley never lost her faith in the Lord. She often said, "If the Lord brings you to it, He will bring you through it." Shirley shared her faith with nearly everyone she met after her diagnosis: doctors, nurses, physical therapists, fellow patients, family, friends, strangers. She knew that even if the Lord called her home, it wasn't the end. She had peace. She had strength. And it showed. She handled everything with grace, humility, and a sense of humor.
Shirley left this world for her Heavenly home on March 23, 2021, at the age of 75. She is survived by her husband Ron, five children: Stacy Russel (Joe), Wendy Caulkins, Scott Cooper(Traci), Laura Cooper, and Amy Street(Tim), twelve grandchildren: Tim, Megan, Jon, Donovan, Dalton, Dallas, Kishi, Alan, Marcus, Olivia, Matthew, and Jacob, six great-grandchildren, her mother: Laura Driver, her brothers: Dennis, Bob, and Greg, and a multitude of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. With the Lord by her side, Shirley brought us laughter, joy, beauty, and love.
Shirley Ann Cooper made this world a better place.
Shirley's graveside service will be held at the Willows Cemetery on April 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. Please wear your mask when social distancing is not possible and feel free to bring a chair as seating is very limited.
Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Mar. 28, 2021.
*************************
In 1943, a beautiful island girl from Bermuda, Laura Linhares, fell in love and married a handsome, red-headed, American, Navy sailor, Robert "Red" Ballinger. While in Bermuda, they had a son named Dennis, and then, in February of 1945, while pregnant, Laura immigrated to the United States and moved to Chico, California. Five months later, on July 15th, 1945, Shirley Ann Ballinger was born. (Shirley never understood why her mother didn't wait to immigrate until after she was born so that she could say that she was born in Bermuda.) Bob and Laura later had two more sons, Robert and Gregory.
"Red" Ballinger was the park foreman of Bidwell Park in Chico, CA and the Ballinger family had the privilege of living in the Park House within Bidwell Park. (The Chico Nature Center is now located where the house once stood.) Shirley loved the park! She loved helping feed the animals in the little zoo, especially the baby deer. She spent her summers running barefooted, playing in the creek, and swimming at the pool. In high school, she worked at the pool snack bar. Her parents often hosted family get-togethers in their home, where everyone either played instruments, sang, or told highly-entertaining stories that had everyone laughing. Shirley loved these gatherings and also loved the many rides in the family Jeep.
Shirley graduated from Chico High School in 1963. She temporarily moved to Sacramento, where she was a telephone operator. She was working as a telephone operator the day that President Kennedy was shot-- the entire switchboard was lit up with calls for the State Capital.
In 1964, Shirley gave birth to a little girl, Wendy. As time passed, it was evident that something was different about Wendy. It wasn't until Wendy was nearly 2 years old that doctors told Shirley that Wendy was deaf. The doctors told Shirley to "sit on her hands" and not learn sign language because it "wouldn't help Wendy." Thankfully, Shirley, being the rebel that she was, didn't listen to the doctors' advice and began taking American Sign Language classes because she wanted to be able to communicate with her daughter. Shirley learned ASL and discovered that she was highly gifted at the language. She was not only able to communicate with her daughter, but she became well-known in the deaf community as an amazing and highly-skilled interpreter, whose signs were easy to understand and incredibly clear, accurate, graceful, and with great expression. Shirley decided that God gave her this gift and she was going to use it as part of her ministry and service to others. She also joked that God gave her the gift of signing so that others wouldn't have to listen to her sing.
In 1968, Shirley was encouraged by mutual friends to go on a blind date with a single dad who worked as a barber in Chico. She was told he was 6'4" with a great sense of humor. One of those facts was correct. She opened the door and looked up… then looked down. And there was Ronald Cooper. Though his stature wasn't what she was told, she was highly impressed with his quick wit and dry sense of humor. He took her to the nicest restaurant at the time, "Mike and Eddie's." She agreed to a second date, even though he wasn't 6'4" and had facial hair.
On August 23, 1969, Ron and Shirley were married. A couple of years later, Ron bought a barbershop in the town of Hamilton City and they bought their first home. In 1973, they welcomed their first child together, Laura. They joked that they now had "His, Mine, and Ours" when it came to their children. Ron worked long hours at the barbershop while Shirley took care of their children and babysat children of their friends.
In 1974, Ron and Shirley decided to attend their first Family Camp at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center. This quickly became an annual tradition, along with eating at Eric's Deli in Scott's Valley and going to the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. It has been here, at Mount Hermon, that not only have traditions been established, but many friendships, memories, and recommitments to the Lord have been made. Shirley called it her "home away from home." This wonderful place has become a "home away from home" for many members of the family, including grandchildren.
In 1977, Ron sold the barbershop and took a job at John's Manville. In 1978, Ron and Shirley welcomed another daughter, Amy, sold their house in Hamilton City, and purchased a home in Willows. Shirley wanted a house with tall peaks, and she got it. Ron and Shirley became members of the First Baptist Church in Willows and volunteered as youth sponsors. The youth group met regularly at their home, and Ron and Shirley hosted and chaperoned many of their activities and trips.
When Amy was about 3 years old, Shirley asked her, "Do you want me to stay home with you or do you want to go to a babysitter while Mommy works?"
Amy responded, "Go to work! I want to go to my friend's house!"
Shirley took the job as a yard duty supervisor with the Willows Unified School District. She later became an ELD aide, where she got to work with students who were learning English as a second language. She then became the library clerk at Willows Intermediate School. She loved being able to read and purchase new books for the school library. After years of working as the library clerk, Shirley became a secretary at Willows High School. While working full-time for the school district, she also worked as a part-time American Sign Language instructor for Shasta College, teaching in Corning and Red Bluff. She was also hired by the Evangelical Free Church of Chico as a sign language interpreter for the deaf. After working at the high school, Shirley got the job as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of WUSD. She retired from the Willows Unified School District in 2009.
In her retirement, Shirley chose to volunteer her time in many ways. Along with volunteering in classrooms, creating cards, writing encouraging notes to friends, and babysitting grandchildren, she worked as a deaconess at Willows Christian Church, where she also worked as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school co-superintendent, Christmas program director, and the Samaritan's Purse Shoebox Ministry Organizer. She helped with fundraisers and decorating and led multiple Bible studies. She continued to interpret for Wendy, gave several Communion meditations, and occasionally signed in front of the church as her daughter Amy sang. Shirley's love for the Lord was shown in the many ways she volunteered her time, but also in how she showed love, kindness, and respect to everyone she met.
Together, Ron and Shirley have five children, twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Shirley loved all of her "babies" so much and made sure they all knew it. She made them homemade cards, attended their sporting events, plays, concerts, birthday parties, and fundraisers. She treasured every picture drawn for her and every song sung to her. She read, played, cooked, baked, painted, beachcombed, gardened, sang, laughed, and cried with them. She always gave the best advice and the best hugs. She truly had a gift for encouraging others. Everyone who was friends with a child or grandchild of Shirley became part of the family. Anyone who attended church with Shirley, became family. Anyone she worked with, became family. Shirley made sure everyone around her felt important and loved.
Shirley was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in December 2018. While this disease and its treatments were awful, Shirley never lost her faith in the Lord. She often said, "If the Lord brings you to it, He will bring you through it." Shirley shared her faith with nearly everyone she met after her diagnosis: doctors, nurses, physical therapists, fellow patients, family, friends, strangers. She knew that even if the Lord called her home, it wasn't the end. She had peace. She had strength. And it showed. She handled everything with grace, humility, and a sense of humor.
Shirley left this world for her Heavenly home on March 23, 2021, at the age of 75. She is survived by her husband Ron, five children: Stacy Russel (Joe), Wendy Caulkins, Scott Cooper(Traci), Laura Cooper, and Amy Street(Tim), twelve grandchildren: Tim, Megan, Jon, Donovan, Dalton, Dallas, Kishi, Alan, Marcus, Olivia, Matthew, and Jacob, six great-grandchildren, her mother: Laura Driver, her brothers: Dennis, Bob, and Greg, and a multitude of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. With the Lord by her side, Shirley brought us laughter, joy, beauty, and love.
Shirley Ann Cooper made this world a better place.
Shirley's graveside service will be held at the Willows Cemetery on April 3, 2021 at 11 a.m. Please wear your mask when social distancing is not possible and feel free to bring a chair as seating is very limited.
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