Lifelong gardener Debby Cooper, a member of the Greenwood Garden Club for 22 years, now is state president of the Mississippi Garden Club Inc.
“I’ve developed leadership abilities since being in the Garden Club,” Cooper said. “Those who know this also know I’m a doer. I’m not the president of this group; I’m just a member of the team.”
She will serve as president from 2015-2017.
Cooper started gardening when she was a little girl. She said both her grandmothers were avid gardeners, and even her father collects cacti, though her mother was the “skipped generation.”
Originally from Texas, Cooper moved in 1977 with her family and a bunch of plants in tow.
Her first project with the Garden Club was planting presidential trees and plants around the sign at Little Red Park. Her works have come a long way since.
“During my presidency I hope to focus on Plant It Pink, our breast cancer awareness project,” Cooper said. “We will plant and encourage others to plant pink flowers for the cause.”
She also hopes to encourage the use of day lilies throughout the state.
As part of her duties as the new president Cooper will also attend the 12 district meetings, state meetings, regional and national conventions, dedications, installations and events and headstart a few of her own projects
The club has had two other presidents from Greenwood. J.D. Duncan was state president from 1938-1940 and Frances Pillow from 1969-1971.
“Frances was headquarters chairman when I met her,” Cooper said. “She was a gracious and kind leader.”
•Contact Laura Kay Prosser at 581-7233 or lprosser@gwcommonwealth.com.
