Dorothy Cooper Martin, born October 29, 1927, a native of Baldwin County and a longtime resident of Bay Minette, died March 18, 2009 in Foley's South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.
She was a graduate of Robertsdale High School and a former teacher at Rosinton Elementary School. In 1947 she became secretary for James H. Faulkner Sr., a position she held for 62 years.
During her lifelong residence in Baldwin County she received numerous community service awards: an honorary degree in 1979 from Troy State University, awarded by its Alumni Association; the Baldwin County Young Democrat's Woman of the Year Award in 1986; the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding career Achievement and Community Service to Baldwin County by Gayfer’s Career Club; and a certificate of appreciation for participation in the Alabama Bicentennial Celebration by the Alabama American Revolution and the Bicentennial Commission.
Professionally, she served as executive vice president of Faulkner Radio Inc., and administrative assistant to David Volkert and Associates, and secretary-treasurer of Faulkner-Phillips Media Inc. and Lake Area Radio Inc.
She was a member of Bay Minette’s First United Methodist Church where she was a past choir member, Sunday School teacher, and served on numerous church boards and committees.
She held a special place in the Cooper family as the last of her generation, and was “Grandmother” to many of the Cooper children. Her loving home, memorable family reunions, and her sincere appreciation of each person as an individual, will be greatly missed, not only by the family, but by all who were blessed to know her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert D. Martin, her parents William Riley Cooper and Emma Kendrick Cooper, three brothers, Kenneth Cooper, Roland Cooper and Carlos Cooper, and a sister, Georgia McMillian.
Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Alicia and Roy McBryar; and “adopted” daughter, Seven Wang.
Visitation begins at 1 p.m. with funeral services at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Jeff Spicer and Dr. Marc Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Bay Minette Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be made to First United Methodist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 338, Bay Minette, AL 36507.
Funeral arrangements are by Norris Funeral Home, Bay Minette.
