The American Journal of Nursing, October 1955 (Volume 55, Issue 10), names Theodora M. Cooper as a First Lieutenant in the Air Force Nurse Corps. Her service record indicates that she served from November 14, 1953 until November 13, 1955.

Theodora Mae Cooper, born August 14, 1930, in Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia, was the daughter of Theodore Fairbanks Cooper (b Sept 10, 1904 in Wheeling) and Dorothy M. Turner, who were married in Wheeling in 1925.

At the time of the 1940 Federal Census of Wheeling, Theodore and Dorothy Cooper had two daughters, Lucy, 14, and Theodora, 9. Mr. Cooper was a janitor. The Coopers were people of color, and in 1940 were labeled as "Neg." in the census.

When Theodora was growing up in Wheeling, she would have attended Lincoln School, the school for black children until the 1950s when the Supreme Court, in Brown versus The Board of Education, ended school segregation.

The School of Nursing at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh graduated the first African-American in 1950. Theodora Cooper graduated the following year. In Wheeling, her hometown, the first African-American woman graduated from Ohio Valley Hospital in 1959.

Theodora Mae Cooper married Timothy Hill in Chicago, Illinois on July 11, 1959.

Her death occurred on March 1, 1993, and she is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.

FATHER'S OBITUARY: The Intelligencer, January 12, 1974 - Theodore F. Cooper, 69, of 342 Highland Ave., Wheeling, died Friday at Wheeling Hospital. He was a member of the Simpson United Methodist church, retired employee of Security National bank. Surviving are his widow, Dorothy Turner Cooper, two daughters, Mrs. Lucy Busby of Bellaire, Mrs. Theodora Hill of Chicago, Ill.; one sister, Mrs. Virginia Morris of Wheeling; two brothers, Alfred of Wheeling, Robert of Charleston. Friends received at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff St., Saturday and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 where services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. Interment in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

MOTHER'S OBITUARY: The Intelligencer, Saturday, July 31, 1993 - Dorothy Cooper, 87, of 342 Highland Ave., Wheeling, died Thursday in Ohio Valley Medical Center, Wheeling. She was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Wheeling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore F. in 1974; a daughter, Theodora Hill in 1993; her parents, Clifford and Jennie Owens Turner. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Charles (Lucy) Busby of Bellaire; five grandchildren, Lonnel Busby of Macedonia, Ohio, Theodore R. and Mrs. Laun (Dorothy) Strothers, both of Wheeling, Charles "Tony" Busby and Cheryl Busby, both of Columbus; three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Friends received noon-3 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff St., Wheeling, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday. Interment in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling. Memorial contributions may be made to the local YWCA, 11th and Chapline streets, Wheeling.

SISTER'S OBITUARY: Lucy Cooper BUSBY, 88, passed away quietly on September 23, 2014 at Wheeling Hospital. Predeceased by parents Theodore and Dorothy Cooper, her sister, Theodora Cooper; and husband of 59 years, Charles E. Busby. She is survived by her children, Lonnie Debbie Busby, Charles A. Pamela Busby, Theodore Busby, Cheryl Busby, and Dorothy Roman; her grandchildren Anthony Alexander, Christopher Busby, Cameron Busby, Clifford Johnson, and Brionna Roman and Ter’el Roman; great grandchildren Cierra Alexander, Alierra Alexander, Myara Alexander, and Anthony Alexander; dear friends, Mary and Bill Collins, Katherine Snead, Edith Turner, Bernice Wade, and other family and friends. - Born December 7, 1925 in Wheeling WV, Lucy was a librarian, teacher and community leader, but above all she was a devoted wife and revered mother. She attended Lincoln School and received a BS degree from West Virginia State College. She began her 30 year teaching career at Blessed Martin High School, and held positions in Alliance and St. Clairsville OH, and Wheeling WV. In 1978, she helped design the Home Economics program at the newly opened Wheeling Junior High School – a crowning achievement in her career. She retired from teaching in 1988. She shared a love of the outdoors, and cherished times spent with family and life-long friends. Among her other activities, she was a member of the Quilting Club and operated a concession stand at local fairs. A true pioneer on this earthly pilgrimage who fought a good fight of faith, Lucy will be fondly remembered for her sweet smile, infectious laugh and gentle wisdom. - Friends will be received on Friday, September 26, 2014 from 3-7 pm at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff Street, Wheeling WV where services will be held on Saturday at 1 pm. Interment will follow in Holly Memorial Gardens, Colerain OH. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be sent to the Elks Panhandle Lodge #74 Education Fund, 1819 Jacob St. Wheeling WV 26003.