Barbara Cooper slated for Ebony Lifeline induction

Barbara Cooper stopped bowling about three years ago to have a knee replacement.

Bowlers in her TNBA Church League have asked for a timetable of her return.

“I’ll come back after I get my other knee done,” she tells them.

That’s a pretty indefinite timetable, but the 75-year-old Cooper is entitled to have it her way, especially when it pertains to a body part that has served her well in the sport.

For her many years of bowling, Cooper has been chosen for induction into the Ebony Lifeline Support Group’s hall of fame at a banquet on Oct. 21 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Social Hall.

Cooper, who will be one of 13 honorees, is being inducted for bowling and softball.

“I did a lot of sports, but I’m just being recognized for those two,” said Cooper, whose career-high game of 248 came in 2006 at Holiday in TNBA.

The right-hander’s 248 included seven strikes in a row while she bowled with one of the Greater Liberty Baptist Church teams.

At the time, Cooper’s effort also earned her entry into the 500 Club from the Youngstown Women’s Bowling Association.

“I was active way back when I bowled in all the alleys and out of town,” Cooper said of her traveling league days.

Cooper, who was born in West Virginia, then moved to Campbell, started bowling when she was 19.

“I started in 1959 when I bowled with my dad at Lincoln Lanes,” said the daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. W.E. Bobo, founder and pastor of the Greater Liberty Baptist Church of Campbell.

“My father was instrumental in organizing the church league.”

Barbara is also proud of a couple non-bowling accomplishments, including one that took place in high school at Campbell Memorial.

“I was the only one [in gym class] who made 24 out of 25 fouls shots. I thought that was a highlight.”

Cooper was also a local playground ping-pong competition champion.

“The prize for the winners was a trip to see the Cleveland Indians,” Cooper said. “That was a big thing in those days. I was real excited. I was so proud of it.”

She later played softball as a shortstop with Scher Tailors at local ballfields, including Oakland and Evans.

Cooper, who retired from Metal Carbides after 38 years, currently volunteers as a foster grandparent.

Although the TNBA league will go on until Cooper’s recovery and return, they know they had a shining star in their midst.