The Life and Legacy of Willye Cooper Martin

There were two significant markers in 1944 that would shape the course of history and impact countless lives: the rise of the modern civil rights movement and the birth of Willye Cooper Martin. Born September 7, 1944, in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, Willye, affectionately known as "BaeBae" was the third child of Frank and Pearl Cooper. She was not only a beloved daughter but also a devoted sibling, mother, grandmother, friend, colleague, teacher, and community activist. At her core, she was a strong Black woman who defied social norms, overcame barriers, and shattered glass ceilings. As a trailblazer, she changed the trajectory of life for her generation and those to follow, leaving a legacy marked by both grit and grace.

Willye graduated third in her class in 1962 from the Historic Langston High School, becoming the first in her family to attend college. She enrolled at Arkansas AM&N College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), where she continued to excel academically and later pursued advanced studies in education. She earned a degree in mathematics with a remarkable gift for programming. In 1966, the same year she graduated, she pledged the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, forming lifelong bonds of sisterhood and friendship.

Following graduation, Willye was recruited by IBM, once again breaking barriers and blazing trails. She has often been described as a "Hidden Figure" within the company, focusing on Programming for NASA. During the 1960s, an era marked by racial division and inequality, Willye stood among the few Black women in her field. Despite the isolation and exclusion that often accompanied integration efforts, her brilliance and determination made her an indispensable part of several advanced projects during her tenure.

In December 1967, Willye married Harold Martin. Their union was blessed with two daughters: Angelique, born in July 1968 in Chicago, Illinois, and Aprille, born in September 1972 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. As the family relocated to various cities, Willye remained steadfast in her commitment to raising her daughters with resilience, courage, and a sense of limitless possibility. Often, they found themselves integrating neighborhoods for the first time. Even in the face of adversity, Willye carried herself with dignity, grace, and unwavering strength.

When her daughters were older, Willye returned to the workforce, embarking on a new and impactful chapter as an educator. For over three decades, she dedicated her life to shaping young minds, using her love for mathematics to inspire generations of students. Honoring the legacy of her own beloved teacher, Mrs. Jewel Frazier, Willye taught in predominantly white, male-dominated environments, where her presence alone was groundbreaking. More than a teacher, she was a mentor, a confidante, and a safe haven. Her students remember her not only for her academic excellence but for her compassion, consistency, and willingness to go above and beyond.

Retirement ushered in a vibrant new chapter of life. Willye embraced her love for travel and adventure, exploring destinations such as Europe, Dubai, and Egypt, while also enjoying the rich culture and cuisine of places like New Orleans, Mexico, Acapulco, and the Caribbean. She cherished time spent socializing with family and friends, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Yet, even in retirement, her commitment to service never waned. She volunteered at the Emma Elease Webb Community Center, worked at the front desk, and remained deeply involved with the Langston Reunion Committee and the UAPB Reunion Committee. Affectionately known as the "Mother Hen" of her high school class, Willye ensured that every detail was handled with care and excellence.

Her love and dedication shone most brightly in her role as a grandmother and great-grandmother. She poured into the lives of her grandchildren, encouraging them to pursue their dreams boldly, love deeply, and care for others wholeheartedly.

Willye will be remembered for her love of life and her love for people. She once wrote, "I hope my friends remember me as the fun-loving person I am." She lived through some of the darkest days of segregation and witnessed the triumphs of the civil rights movement from "colored only" water fountains to the inauguration of the nation's first Black president. Yet, her life's work extended beyond witnessing change; she actively contributed to it. She championed transformation: within herself, her family, her students, her community, and the world around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Pearl Cooper; her sisters, Inez Milsap, Totsie "Dolly" Cooper, Nanette Scott, Charlene Cooper, and Barbara Cooper; her brother, Frank "Bubba" Cooper Jr.; her childhood friend, Coretta Beavers; and her special friend, Raymond Johnson.

Willye's legacy of love, laughter, compassion, and unwavering dedication will forever live on through her daughters, Angelique "Angel" Martin-Calhoun, Aprille Martin, and Regina Milsap; her son/grandson, Edward "T" Whipple IV; her grand-daughter, Kendall Calhoun; her great grandchildren, Kaleb Whipple, Kaidan Moore, Alanai Harris, and Halaya Whipple; along with a host of nieces, nephews, lifelong friends, and cherished companions, including Gwen Bronson of Flint, Michigan, Janice Jones of Hamilton, Ohio, and Rosie Perry of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Her life was a testament to perseverance, faith, and love, a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations to come.

The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM at  Nazarene Baptist Church, 220 Silver Street, Hot Springs, AR 71901. The family will gather after the service at St. Mark Baptist Church, 542 Crescent Ave.

You may sign the guest registry at http://www.carriganmemorial.com  Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.