Omonike Weusi-Puryear

Omonike Weusi-Puryear (1939-2025)

Mrs. Omonike Weusi-Puryear, beloved mother to three sons, 86, of San Mateo, California, passed away due to invasive breast cancer on December 4th, 2025, leaving a void her family cannot fill.

She was born as Gloria Cooper in Bogalusa, Louisiana, in 1939 to Albert "Bud" December Cooper and Minnie Lee (Thomas) Cooper. She graduated from Dillard University in New Orleans where she was inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She then served in the U.S.A. Peace Corps in the Philippines. She went on to become an educator. After working for the U.S.A. Job Corp in Cleveland, Ohio, Gloria moved to California, earned a Masters of Education from San José State University, and taught for the Ravenswood City School District (her mother, Minnie Lee (Thomas) Cooper, also taught for Ravenswood City School District).

Gloria changed her name to Omonike, a Yoruba name that means a "child that is cherished", when she married Muata (Stanley) Weusi-Puryear on June 21st, 1970.

Omonike had a passion for teaching which led her to also teach in higher education. She taught Ethnic Studies and Communication classes at De Anza Community College where she loved the challenges of educating the next generation. She was also an adjunct faculty union representative. Omonike is remembered by countless students and colleagues as a caring influence.

Omonike was a founder of the Peninsula Book Club and helped many in the African American community with their writing and careers. She was also the founder and first charter president of the Rho Delta Omega graduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in East Palo Alto.

Omonike was a devoted mother to her sons, Baba Kofi Adam Cooper Puryear Weusijana, Kwame Dow Cooper Weusi-Puryear, and Kwesi Hunter Cooper Weusi-Puryear. She and Muata homeschooled their sons. Omonike took special joy in teaching her sons until they each attended Foothill Community College. She also taught for a period of time her nephew, Cyril Jamal Cooper Pevey, son of Stacey Cooper. Cyril also attended Foothill Community College.

Omonike was preceded in death by her parents, Albert December Cooper and Minnie Lee (Thomas) Cooper, her brothers Albert Commodore Cooper and Frederick Cooper, her sister Stacey Althea Cooper, and is survived by her brother, Juan Cooper Sr., her husband Muata Weusi-Puryear, and her sons and daughter-in laws, Baba Kofi Adam Cooper Puryear Weusijana and Deborah Veree Young Weusijana, Kwame Dow Cooper Weusi-Puryear and Rachel Lee (Grainger) Puryear, and Kwesi Hunter Cooper Weusi-Puryear, her step-daughter Hannah Nubia Grove, and her grand-children, Rina Velva Young Puryear Weusijana and Yerodin “Yero” Al Young Puryear Weusijana, who will never forget the love she brought to their lives.

A memorial celebration will be held Saturday, March 7th, 2026, at 3PM PST at Jerusalem Baptist Church, 398 Sheridan Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94306. You can RSVP for the memorial celebration at: https://tinyurl.com/omonikecelebration
Donations to plant a tree in Omonike's name are appreciated at: https://www.jonesmortuaryinc.com/obituary/Omonike-Weusi-Puryear/1068264/memorial-tree

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