Rita Dianne Whitman Cooper

Rita Dianne Whitman Cooper, 83, of Opelika, was born March 24, 1939. The Pearly Gates swung wide as she entered into the Presence of The Lord in the early morning hour of Thursday, February 23, 2023, after a valiant struggle against heart failure. Her graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 2:00 pm, at Notasulga Cemetery. Dianne was born in Notasulga, the second of seven children, where she arrived fully hatched with a robust personality that accompanied her the rest of her life. She attended the Methodist Church and graduated from Macon County High. She spent the majority of her career working for the telephone company, which she happily retired from in 1993. She spearheaded her class reunions for many years and was an active member of the CWA. She loved flowers, mountains in autumn, reading the Bible, and singing in her church choir. It has been said that some of her words are still lingering in the air over east Alabama to this day. Dianne is survived by her son Peter M. Cooper, and her 21-year-old cat, Emma. She is also survived by treasured stepdaughters Barbara Bracknell and Theresa Lott; beloved nieces and nephews Wanda Ptomey, Ken Tidwell, Sheila Tidwell, Debi Young, Wade Whitman, Troy Aldridge, Roy Aldridge, Robbie Clark, Stephanie Watson, and Blake Whitman, and many great and great great nieces and nephews. Not to mention all the cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband Warren Douglas Cooper; her parents Ida Mae Mahone and Jarrell Whitman; her brother Tommy Whitman; her sister Brenda Whitman Aldridge; her sister Cecelia Whitman Tidwell; her brother Sammy Whitman; her sister Becky Whitman; and her brother Ronny Whitman; and stepchildren Jan Thompson and David Cooper. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Bethany House in Auburn or Wesley Methodist Church in Opelika.