(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Ferguson Federal Credit Union Member Services Representative Anna Cooper.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Lauderdale, Miss., on Jan. 18, 1998.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: Neshoba County for kindergarten through third-grade, then fourth through 12th-grade at West Marion.
Q: Where all have you lived?
A: I lived in Neshoba for seven years then Columbia for the rest.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I’m a member services representative (teller) at Ferguson Federal Credit Union. I do transactions, help my members the best way I possibly can and also run the Columbia High School branch. I do the same thing with the kids and their accounts. I help them the best way I can. The three students who work at the branch are getting a scholarship for opening accounts and learning their members also. They’re doing transactions for the students they go to school with.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I needed a job for one, but when this opportunity came open I saw it is as a good opportunity to learn how to deal with money. I like being able to have a good interaction with members in person.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: The interaction with the members. I like to make sure that everything in their life is situated when it comes to their money.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked at Kane’s Catfish Seafood and Steakhouse in Foxworth.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My mother, Constance Crawford, is one. Ms. Kathy (Morgan, branch manager) is very inspiring. She’s a great person to work with and keeps a smile on your face even when you don’t feel like smiling. Le’ann (Wise, assistant manager), when I feel down she’s telling me to come on, get up and get your stuff done. That’s my main three people.
Q: If you could relive one day from your life, what day would you choose?
A: Mine is if I could go back and finish up my college degree. I only had four months left at Antonelli College for medical assisting, and I would do that in a heartbeat. But I just can’t stop life right now because it’s intense. The day I stopped school is the day I wish I wouldn’t have done.
Q: What is your spouse’s name? What does he do for a living?
A: Kenneth Cooper. He works at Challenger Deepwell Services.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have one, Emma Grace, who is 16 months and one on the way.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: Chinese food.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: I’d want to go to Hawaii.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Just being a mom and a wife, taking care of my family.
Q: When you feel like you need to take a step back and get away from everything, what is the one thing you like to do?
A: It may sound crazy but go get in the hottest bath, turn my Christian music on and have me a moment. Everyone has that one thing they do, and that’s my one thing. I lock the door to the bathroom so no one can get in and just breathe.
Q: What do you enjoy about living and working in Columbia and Marion County?
A: The people. Some people you learn and you like them. You learn to love them.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My mom because she’s just awesome. She’s just a good person. She’s one of those people you can lean on. She’s my best friend.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: A movie by far. It’s like you’re living in the movie. I don’t really like to read, it’s terrible. It’s one of the worst things in the world.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A: I have many. First off starting a family has been good. Then since I’ve came here I’ve learned to love myself. You have to like yourself to be able to take care of members and just take care of everybody you deal with. You learn to love everybody. I like working here because I get to interact with people. It doesn’t sound like much, but I like to interact with people.
Q: What would be the No. 1 thing on your Bucket List?
A: My top thing would be to travel the world. I’d like to just get in the car and go. Just hit the road with no particular destination.
Q: If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
A: Family-oriented, loveable and caring.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: As a person who cared and took the time to make sure others were taken care of. I could come last for all that matters. I want to make sure everyone else has their life situated and everything is good because my life could be on line as long as somebody else is taken care of.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Anna Cooper, second from left, enjoys working with Wildcat Credit Union student employees, from left, Caitlin Magee, Cole Pearson and Elizabeth Sanford. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
