Kalifa Shyann Cooper

Kalifa Shyann Cooper, 25, passed away on May 22, 2023, in Long Beach, CA. She was born on August 29, 1997, to Amanda Cooper and Marquette Townsend, in Idabel, Oklahoma.

As a child, Kalifa attended church at St. James CME Church in Idabel, OK. She graduated from Idabel High School in 2015. Kalif she was a part of the dance team.  She had a passion for dancing that stayed with her throughout her time here on earth. After graduating high school, she attended Langston University in Langston, OK. On Campus she was very active, and she was a member of the Voluptuous Lions Dance Team, and she was Miss Phi Psi. Kalifa built lifelong friendships and made a lifetime of memories while attending Langston University. Kalifa graduated from Langston University in May 2022, with a bachelor's degree in psychology.  She was full of life, and she never met a stranger. Kalifa was a very outspoken person and would let you know exactly what was on her mind.  She made an impact on lives near and far and brought life and joy to those who knew her. She had a smile that could light up a room, her kind and generous spirit is what made others love her.  Although Kalifa did not have children of her own, she loved and cared for her Godson, nieces, and nephews like her own. Before moving to California, Kalifa worked at T. J's Touch of Joy Daycare providing her love and nurturing spirit to the students there.  She called all her students "my babies".

Kalifa moved to Long Beach, CA in March 2023 with her best friend Bronna Johnson.  While living in California, she worked at Special Needs Network, helping children with Autism.

Kalifa was preceded in death by her grandparents, Vaster & Anita Cooper, Alma Faye Townsend & Charlie Lee Jones, and her uncle Jamie Townsend.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her mother Amanda Cooper, Oklahoma City, OK; Father and Stepmother Marquette & Diane Townsend, Idabel, OK; Godson, Jru Murphy, Oklahoma City, OK; brothers, Deondrea Cooper, Oklahoma City, OK; Markee Townsend, Idabel, OK; Marquette Townsend Jr., Texas; Tyrone Howell, Monroe, LA; sisters MarKayla Townsend, Langston, OK; Marsheuna Townsend, Little Rock, AR; aunts Fonda (Richard) Bean, Oklahoma City, OK and Chandra Townsend, Idabel, OK; nieces Aubrey Cooper, Marcianna Townsend, Malaysia Townsend and Legacy Townsend; nephews Isaiah Cooper, Elijah Cantley, Marcellus Townsend and Taiden Ace Howell; best friends, Breonna Johnson, Long Beach, CA; LaKeria Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK; Rae'Nica Hare, Idabel, OK and Mortisha Camble, Oklahoma City, OK. She has a host of great aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and Idabel High School Class of 2015 classmates who will also cherish her memory.

Funeral arrangements are set for 12 noon Saturday, June 10th at Idabel Highschool.

Interment will follow at Williamston Cemetery.