"GREAT IS THE LORD, AND SO GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!!"

Queen Esther McIntosh Cooper was born on August 15, 1932 to the late Stanley Henry McIntosh and Wilhelmina Crockett McIntosh in Forsyth Co. She departed this earthly life on October 6, 2013.

Queen graduated from Carver High School in 1950, Russell's Commercial College in 1952, and Bowman Gray School of Medicine as a Nuclear Medicine Technician in 1971. She worked for Dr. F.W. Jackson in optometry, later for Ford Distributors. In 1971 she was employed at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, NC and Northern Surry Hospital in Mt. Airy, NC as a Nuclear Medicine Technician. She was also a Foster mother for over 30 years. In 1984 she was licensed as a Child Day care Home provider where she was owner and director for over 28 years until 2011 when her health began to decline. Queen raised and provided care for 100 children in her daycare.

In the community, she was a member of the Patterson Ave. Community Club and The Carver Alumni Association Choir. She was also a seamstress and upholsterer for many years, having sewn uniforms for Sethos Temple Drill Patrol, Daughters of Isis, Isiserettes and various other organizations and individuals. she was created into the Daughters of Isis in May, 1968. In Sethos Court (105) sh chaired and served on various committees. She held several offices in the Court; 1st Lt. Commandress, 2nd Lt. Commandress, Recordress, Queen of Sethos Court in, Daughter of year in 1995, Honorary Past Illustrious Commandress in, Past Imperial Deputy of the Oasis.

She was also known for her love of cooking and baking homemade yeast rolls for church functions and the community. She was a member of Second Calvary Missionary Baptist Church for over 75 years where she was directress of the Senior Choir and Junior Choirs, member of the Missionary Society and founder and president of the Courtesy Guild. Queen directed many plays and weddings. She also worked diligently on the Hospitality committee. Queen directed many church plays and some weddings at Second Calvary and Spencer Memorial Christian Church. She was a member of Spencer Memorial under the leadership of her son-law, the late Pastor Sandy S. Witherspoon, Jr.

In addition to her parents, Queen was preceded in death by her husband, the late Dr. Claude W. Cooper; her son, Martin Burrell; three sisters, Alvera Stowe, Burmail Clyburn, Patricia Smith Griffith; two brothers, William Massey and James Smith; brothers-in-law, Allen Clyburn and Rev. Donald Stowe, Sr.; cousins, Mildred Foy and Edgar Frida; and numerous other family members who have transitioned on.

Queen Esther leaves to cherish her memories a devoted daughter who loved her very much, Ms. April Burrell Witherspoon; a very special grandson who was an angel and her caregiver who took great care of her for over a year, Derrick Miller; other grandsons who loved her dearly and sat with her are, Rico Harris, Kevin Witherspoon of this city, Kory Witherspoon of Durham, NC, and Michael Milton of Atlanta, GA; one granddaughter, Cleopatria Milton who loved and cared for her; 15 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; a special niece, Annette Stowe who never ever let her walk alone at church; a host of other special nieces and nephews and other family members who loved and cared for her dearly too numerous to mention; friends who sat with her and cared for her, Dorothy Witherspoon, those who drove her around, Roberta Surls, Elizabeth Gordon, Yvette Tolliver, Willie Mae Downs and cousin Vivian Surratt. Queen Esther had so many family and friends who cared for her and saw to her needs.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Friday, October 11, 2013 at Second Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with Reverend Donald S. Stowe, Jr. officiating. Entombment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Friday at the Church.

The family wishes to extend a very special thanks to her Hospice Palliative care team and all of her Doctors and nurses involved with her care. She was treated with great care and respect.