By: Jessica Black, serving with the Beverly Heritage Center
March is Women’s History Month. So . . . Happy Women’s History Month!! This month is built to honor and celebrate all the women in the past, present, and future. How I’m celebrating this month is by sharing the untold stories of some of our influential women in Randolph County’s history. This past month I have been spreading the word on social media to share the stories of these amazing women.
Make sure to go check out AFNHA’s social media if you missed it!
On March 26th at 1 pm, the Beverly Heritage Center hosted a livestream on Facebook that focused on the story of Wilma Lee Cooper, the Wheeling Jamboree, and the Grand Ole Opry.
The Wheeling Jamboree (Wheeling, WV) began in the 1930s, as did the Grand Ole Opry (Nashville, TN). Many have compared the two country music institutions as years have gone by. They are the only remaining shows of its kind that still exists to this day. Both institutions embrace their rich history while also welcoming the contemporary. Each stage has launched many infamous country music careers and attracted so many more to follow in their footsteps.
The Wheeling Jamboree is where Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper played a residency for a decade. They began playing the Jamboree in 1947 and which launched them into popularity. As Wilma Lee and Stoney became prominent on the country music scene in 1957, the duo was invited to join the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.
Mrs. Wilma Lee Cooper will be the next woman to be featured in the Wild and Wonderful Women of West Virginia display window at the Beverly Heritage Center.
Wilma Lee was born in February 1921 in Valley Head, West Virginia. If you visit Valley Head, there is a historic marker recognizing her as a star on the Grand Ole Opry. Her young life was filled with a music. She even sang at her local church.
In 1941, Wilma Lee married Dale “Stoney” Cooper and they began a lifelong journey of musical stardom together. The duo performed together at the Wheeling Jamboree until 1957, when they were asked to join the cast of the Grand Ole Opry. Stoney passed away in 1977, but Wilma Lee continued to perform along with their daughter, Carol Lee. Wilma Lee continued to perform until 2001, after which she suffered a stroke. She died in September 2011.
Wilma Lee Cooper has been recognized as the “first lady of Bluegrass.” Mrs. Cooper has been seen as a role model to many other females in the industry who have fought for their achievements.
Please don’t forget that on March 26th at 1 pm, the Beverly Heritage Center will be hosting a livestream on Facebook that will focus on the story of Wilma Lee Cooper, the Wheeling Jamboree, and the Grand Ole Opry. Later on April 9th at 11 a.m., I will be revealing the window display for Wilma Lee Cooper. It will happen rain or shine!
