Sisters in the Ministry

Vanessa Hagans

Vanessa Hagans was born in Mineral Wells, Texas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Theological Studies and is a licensed and ordained minister with a heart for service, leadership, and transformation. She currently serves as the Nursery Director at Truth Revealed Ministries, where she is deeply committed to nurturing children and supporting families within the faith community.

A proud Air Force and Gulf War veteran, Vanessa brings discipline, resilience, and a global perspective shaped by years of living in and traveling throughout the world. Her diverse life experiences inform her compassionate approach to ministry, leadership, and advocacy.

Vanessa is the Creative Director and Visionary of VVFC Global (Vanessa’s Voice For Change), an initiative dedicated to inspiring hope, empowerment, and positive change in communities. She is an avid community volunteer and the devoted mother of three sons, balancing faith, family, and service with purpose and grace.

Driven by faith, calling, and compassion, Vanessa continues to use her voice, creativity, and leadership to make a meaningful impact locally and globally .We have been serving the community for over 50 years, providing a space for people to come together and connect with Thou Art My Sister Ministries. Our founders believed in the transformative power of faith, and we continue to hold that belief close to our hearts.

Shirley Cooper

Mrs. Shirley M. Guillory Cooper

Shirley, a 81-year-old African American wqs chosen as the Black History honoree for 2024 for her church and civic activities by Rev. Vanessa A. Sims of Thou Art My Sister Ministries.

A longtime resident of Graham, and for thirty-seven (37) years, she has served as First Lady of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Graham, Texas and has faithfully served alongside her husband, Rev. Talton Cooper.

Shirley, is the eldest of 20 children born to Pearl Guillory Black of Lake Charles, Louisiana. She is the wife (64 years) of the Rev. Talton Cooper, Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. They have three children; Talton Pat Cooper Jr., Troy Delane Cooper, Tony Desmond Cooper, 9 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

On March 11, 2006, Shirley graduated with honors with an Associate of Arts in Business Administrationfrom the American Intercontinental University of School of Business; on September 14, 1971 completed a Department of the Army Military Accounting Course; received a Suggestion Award from the U.S. Primary Helicopter Center School, and a Letter of Commendation from the Department of the Army Procurement Division, Fort Wolters, Texas.

Since 1987, Shirley has been the First Lady of Mt. Zion Baptist Church; served as Secretary, Youth Director, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member, Musician, and assisted in the music department. She also served as a Youth Director, Youth Leader, and advisor for the Youth Department in the Progressive West Texas Baptist Association. She was also a member of the Mission 2 West Texas Baptist District Association.

In Graham, she worked for Graham ISD and the Graham family. She served as a volunteer at Graham Regional Medical Center.

Prior to coming to Graham, Shirley worked in and served in the Mineral Wells community. Her family was the first African American family to awarded Family of the Year in Mineral Wells. She received several awards and recognitions for her outstanding work and service. She received a Certificate of Recognition – Outstanding Service in 1970 for her work with youth from the Dunbar Neighborhood Council; Nominated for Outstanding Young Women of American Ward by the Mineral Wells Jaycee-Ettes in 1971 and was selected to appear in the 1971 edition of Outstanding Young Women of America by the Mineral Wells Jaycee-Ettes.

She served at Bethel Baptist Church, Mineral Wells, Texas for 28 years. She served as a Deaconess, Youth Director, Choir Member, and a Sunday School teacher. In Mineral Wells, she worked for Electra Midland, Southern Airways, the Department of the Army, Fort Wolters, Texas and Mineral Wells ISD. She retired from TU Electric in Mineral Wells.

Carlotta Vann

Carlotta grew up mainly in Texas and lives in the Austin area. She lived in the Fort Worth/Arlington area for 10 years. Her work history includes several years with Tarrant County and the City of Forest Hill. In addition, she has 30 years of Texas state government service, most of which comprises various positions in health and human services, especially Medicaid and aging and disabled populations. Carlotta is also a fine artist who has exhibited her work publicly since 2014. She works mainly with acrylic paint on canvas and her work is intended to reach your innermost self. She hopes to invoke an emotional or thought-provoking response from the viewer that may lead to an expanded way of thinking about people and life. You can view her work at: www.carlottavannartgallery.com.

Instagram: @carlottavannart

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Some people say thay will do the hard work. Carlotta and her sister Valerie showed up to help me design and install a rock entry and at the historic Camp McMullen in Keene, Texas. And, she painted and donated this beautiful picture to be displayed at the camps auditorium. Vanessa Sims

Jewell Shelton

Native Texan, Jewel Shelton, is a Business School graduate of Southern Methodist University and attended Spelman College in Atlanta. She has over 25 years in Sales and Marketing. She has worked in Banking, Commercial Real Estate and Multi Family Housing. She presently works as Realtor with eXp Realty. Her passion is helping families find a new place to call home.

She is the proud parent of three sons and a daughter. Her hobbies include Cooking, Traveling, and Reading. She is the Author of the novel, “Tribulations of the Heart”.

Sisters In The Ministry

Our Faithful Sisters

Vanessa Hagans

Shirley Cooper

Carlotta Vann

Jewell Shelton

our senior sisters

Marlene Dooley Rev. Mary Lyles Virginia Schults