Supt. and Missionary Cooper loved everyone. They gave, they
toiled, they prayed, they tarried, they fed, they nourished, and they carried many men, women and children from all walks
of life in their hearts, to their home, to their church, and led them to their God. Their labor of love is
not in Vain.
Noble Lee Cooper, Sr.
A pastor of four churches in four different Texas
towns, evangelist, guitarist, and soloist for the Gospel of Christ for over 60 years. Also, a
husband and father of ten children. He was called into the ministry at a young age receiving salvation at the age
of 19.
He was called and anointed to complete the most
difficult tasks for mortal man as he ventured into cities that defied righteousness. Against all odds, he put his
life on the life for the purpose of the church, the cause of Christ, the advancing of the kingdom. Wherever he preached,
the results yielded eternal spiritual changes for many lost souls.
FAMILY HISTORY
From the first Generation of the Coopers, Noble's grandfather was Cooper
Murchison born December 1847 in Tennessee. His father was the white slavemaster of the Murchison Plantation and mother
an Indian slavewoman. When all the slaves were set free in 1865, Cooper became a free man and his father, Mr. Murchison,
gave him the land today still known as "The Cooper's Settlement" as a gift. Cooper married Zemlia in 1866 of Crockett,
Texas and they had 11 children. After her death, he married Lucy Buckner in 1898 who was born in Georgia. Cooper
Murchison, identified as a Mullotto male by the US Census, apparently changed his name according to the 1990 US Census
for unknown reasons to Rufus Murchison Cooper.
From the first Generation of the Coopers, Noble's father was born to John Chuck
Cooper, child of Cooper Murchison (Rufus Murchison Cooper) and Zemlia, November 1873, in Crockett, Texas. As stated,
they had 11 children.
From the second Generation of the Coopers, Noble was borned the youngest child
of 19 children by Doshia (Dorcas) and John Cooper. Brothers and sisters were Inez, John Doc, Mary Bessie, Rosia Lee,
Isroe C. Shame (IC), Colbert, Eddia Mae, Perry, John Jr, Rufus, Memphis Mint, Nora Lee, Zimmely, Douglas (Dad), Lucille, Lottie
Mae, and Finas.
From the third Generation of the Coopers, Noble and Dorphine Cooper had ten children:
Bettye, Noble, Marva, Perry, Dee, Terry, Chery, Carl, Dorothy and Chris. (information taken from Family History
Book by Ronald Wesley Groves Sr.)
Missionary Dorphine Byrd-Cooper
Born to Pinky and Ambrose Byrd. Raised by her grandmother,
Nettie Green, she was an only child.
She received her faith in God when she began praying as a youth at the age of
seven. She received the fullness of the baptism at the age of twelve. She has always been a praying
woman full of courage and faith. Being the mother of ten children, she has kept her faith in God. She always
participated in the Prayer Bible Bands with the women of the community. Each day, she would have prayer
and bible study with her own children including the children in the community. Her concern for the destiny of souls
is very evident and as strong today as it was years ago.
She conducted revivals, some that lasted for over nine weeks. The word
continued to spread in the town. The people kept coming, especially young couples, seeking salvation, and God saved
them. The words she spoke were powerful and lifechanging: Sins will kill you; If you take it, You can
make it; The 10 Virgins - Don't Be Foolish, etc.. She earned a new name: "PRECIOUS
JEWEL".
Gifts from God
Supt. Noble L. Cooper and Missionary Dorphine Byrd-Cooper are true gifts
from Heaven. Since they have made God their refuge and habitation by trusting Him, spent time with him every
day in prayer, and made Him the center of their Joy, they are in a sheltered placed of promise with God:
"You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
Because He has set His love upon you. He will
deliver you.
He will set you on high, because you have known His
name.
You shall call upon Him, and He will answer.
He will be with you in trouble. He will deliver
and honor you.
With long life, He will satisfy you and show you His
salvation."
