MARY JANE BLANTON

Mary Jane Cooper Blanton was born September 28,1948 in Texarkana, Arkansas to the late Howard (Bullie) Cooper Sr. and Florence Nightingale Cooper.

Mary is preceded in death by her father, Howard (Bullie) Cooper Sr., mother, Florence Nightingale Cooper, Brothers, Frank Thomas Poston Jr. and Howard Cooper Jr.

Mary confessed Christ at an early age at Charity Baptist Church in Texarkana, TX. She was a member of First Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, CA. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Joe Harris Jr. , Pastor. Mary moved back to Texas in 2018 to Desoto, TX. and joined Loving Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Michael D. Sneed, Th.D., Sr. Pastor. Mary remained a faithful member until her health failed. Mary supported her church spiritually and financially.

She attended Dunbar High School in Texarkana, Texas. She later moved to Compton, CA to live with her Aunt Sarah Ann and Uncle Charles Williams. She graduated in 1967 from Centennial High School with honors. Mary married Ustadi Kadiri in 1969. She worked in the banking and finance industry for 46 years until retirement in 2013.

Although Mary had no children, she moved to Desoto, Texas after many visits to be closer to family and friends. She looked forward to the holidays, loved all the birthdays, and family gatherings they shared.

Mary entered rest on November 3, 2025 after a brief illness. She leaves to mourn two brothers, Conan L Sanders (Sarah) of Augusta, GA, Floyd Cooper of Sacramento, CA., one sister Karen L. Wade (Anthony) of Leesburg, GA., sister in law (other sister) Cynthia G. Cooper of Cedar Hill, TX., nieces, Nikita Cooper of Glenn Heights, TX, Lorie Squalls (O’Shea) of Carrollton, TX., Antoinette Wade of Leesburg, GA., great nephew Ryan Squalls, great nieces Olivia Veasley and Aaliyah Wade, former spouse and good friend, Ustadi Kadiri of Oakland, CA., and a host of family and many faithful friends whom she adored.