Annie L. Cooper Huff, 100, resident of Selma, Alabama passed away November 24, 2010 at Vaughan Regional Hospital. Services are scheduled for December 4, 2010, 12:00 noon at Shiloh Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Joshua Davis. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery directed by Miller Funeral Service of Selma. The body will lie in state at the church from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 4, 2010.

The hour filled with its sands of time has slowly but surely emptied its content…

With the passing of the last grain of sand, went the life of our beloved Aunt and friend Annie Lee Cooper on Wednesday, November 24, 2010.

Annie Lee Cooper’s journey on earth began June 2, 1910 in Selma, Alabama, Dallas County, from the union of the late Lucy Jones and Charles Wilkerson Sr. She was one of ten siblings, all of whom have preceded her in death.

She accepted Christ at an early age at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, in Selma, Alabama. Her commitment to serve God reflected throughout her life, and shaped her dedication to serve human kind.

Annie moved to Canonsburg, Pennsylvania where she met and married the late Brad Cooper. The union did not produce any children, however, Annie was affectionately known as “Mama Annie” to almost all of those she met. She resided in Pennsylvania until she returned to Selma to take care of her ailing mother in 1962.

Once she returned to Selma, she joined Shiloh Baptist Church. She served in many capacities in the church until she became ill, and was a member until her death. Annie remained a faithful follower of Christ throughout her life, and her dedication was evident in her actions, and the love she shared with her family, friends, and community.

She was well known, loved and respected for her tireless work in the Civil Rights Movement, which began in the early 1960s. Annie sacrificed her life for the Movement and was even beaten and jailed for her participation in the 1965 Selma protest designed to gain full voting rights for Black Americans. During her jailing, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., made a historic speech in Brown Chapel an referred to her jailing as unfair and unjust, and used the opportunity to highlight the unfair treatment of Black Americans striving to gain the full rights of citizenship in the United States. She has been called a “ Freedom Fighter” and was bestowed the honor of having her street named Annie Cooper Avenue in honor of her work on behalf of the community. However, beyond the moniker of “Freedom Fighter” Mama Annie will be more remembered for her love of people and her generosity of spirit.

Annie is survived by two nieces, Carolyn Williams and Paula Minter, who adored her; a cousin, Willie Ruff Griffin; four grand nieces, Betty Dixon, Carolyn, Dee, and Rosalyn; a nephew, Darnell and a host of friends and loved ones including Lula B. Hatcher and her children who cared for and loved her until her death.

Active pallbearers will be Samuel Hatcher, Dwayne Hatcher, Corey Hatcher, Dexter Hatcher, Floyd Hatcher Jr., Greg Murry Sr.. Honorary pallbearers will be Steven Beard, Floyd Hatcher Sr. and Alfonso Hatcher.