Vivian Cooper Southern

On Wednesday, January 22, 2020, Vivian Cooper Southern, 87, passed away. The daughter of the late Guy and Birdie Cooper, Vivian was born in Valdosta, Georgia. She was ahead of her time in the most remarkable ways. In 1951, at the young age of 19, she was hired at Robins Air Force Base to sweep floors. Shortly after, she was promoted and began moving through the ranks. When she retired at the age of 55, she was the highest paid female civil service employee in the country. While working full time at the base, she raised a son, as well as her niece and nephew as her own. She probably wouldn’t have called herself a feminist, but she was one before Gloria Steinem gave rise to the movement. She was the heart and soul of the entire Cooper family. To say that she will be missed is a gross understatement. This world is a less interesting place without her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmie Lee Southern; children, Ann Myers and Jimmy Cooper; brothers, Leon Jacobs, Edward Cooper, and James Dean Cooper.

Her memory will forever be treasured by her son, John Gregory (Debbie); eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 26, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2020, in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens where Mrs. Southern will be laid to rest.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.