Margaret Ellen Wren Cooper, age 91, died Monday, February 17, 2025, in Huntsville, Alabama. Born on June 13, 1933, on her family farm in Donie, Texas, Margaret was the youngest of Altha and Benjamin Wren’s three daughters. Following the family’s move to Houston in her teens, she developed a love of writing. As editor of the Sam Houston High School newspaper, Margaret led the publication to win first place in a statewide journalism competition. After graduating at the top of her class, she earned a scholarship as an English major at Sam Houston University and went on to a successful career in public relations. Her first PR job at Tenneco Oil led to another position at Foley’s Department Store and the chance to meet the love of her life and future husband, Herbert “Bob” Cooper. After the couple married and moved to Pittsburgh, Margaret took a break from work to focus on raising their three children. Additional career moves to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta led to public relations positions at Rich’s Lenox Square and as PR Director at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead. Upon retirement, she and Bob enjoyed a blissful 20 years in Sarasota, Florida where they continued to make many happy memories and keep in close touch with a vast and treasured network of friends.
Throughout her life, Margaret exuded a warmth that drew people close. She valued her colleagues and friendships and found joy in the details of their lives – celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones with thoughtfulness that made each moment special. She mentored many young women throughout her career and retained close relationships with them beyond the office.
Creative and energetic, Margaret approached people and projects with dedication and passion. She would step up to lead her children’s scout and brownie troops, serve as PTA president and neighborhood association officer, raise money for good causes, and help neighbors in need. Her love for the arts, culture, and community was evident in the way she championed local theaters and non-profits, always believing in the power of storytelling and expression.
Margaret was a superb cook and enjoyed preparing and presenting a proper dinner each evening for her family and guests. Beyond her culinary talents, she could paint, draw, design, sew, garden, hang wallpaper, and accomplish almost any task she determined to undertake. Fortunately for Margaret, she required little sleep, and late-night hours were often her most productive for special projects and writing letters.
Nothing, however, gave Margaret more pleasure than spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a generous, caring mother and a doting grandmother who forged deep bonds with her grands, becoming the first person they called with good or bad news. No matter what was happening in her life, Margaret was present for the people she loved.
Margaret is survived by her two daughters, Kim Cooper of Huntsville, and Kelly Cooper Schrimsher (Randy) of Huntsville; son, Chip Cooper of Atlanta; three grandchildren, Kimberly Schrimsher-Nguyen (Kiet), Austin Schrimsher (Cate), and Cooper Schrimsher; one great-grandchild; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert “Bob” Ruben Cooper; her parents, Millard Benjamin Wren and Altha Bond Wren of Houston, Texas; sisters, Clytee Gilliam of Houston, Texas, and Nellie LaPierre of Dallas, Texas.
A private graveside service will be held at Union Cemetery in Teague, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or to your favorite charity.
