PLEASANT GROVE, Alabama --- Cheryl Denise Cooper was a fun-loving person who took her commitment to her family, church and work very seriously.
"She loved her family so much, working so hard all week, then keeping her three grandchildren every weekend and taking them to movies or playing video games," said Elizabeth Thomas, Cooper's mother.
Cooper, 47, died when a tornado struck Pleasant Grove. She was employed by Sally's Beauty Supply for 24 years and managed the Green Springs Highway location in Birmingham while working nights at Target on U.S. 280.
Cooper, who had a son, Ladarius, 21, and daughter, Aleshia Thomas, 25, was born and raised in Birmingham and attended Parker High School and Jefferson State Community College.
"The family was all so close, ate dinner together every weekend at my mom's and always told each other we love you," said Thomas Lomax of Birmingham, Cooper's older brother. "This is just killing us."
Thomas said Cooper will long be remembered, not just by those close to her, but by many she met in passing.
"She always had a smile and never met a stranger," Thomas said. "She was just a wonderful person."