Hello Denise,
I have the census for 1900 from Walker County GA and Mariah, dob 1860, is there married to a Bird Cooper. My grandmother Elnora is listed as one of their children. The dates fit...

Mariah married/lived with Bird in 1889 so I have nothing on her before that. The census lists Mariah as being born in VA and her parents were also born in VA. (Blacksburg VA as the story goes)

I haven't checked the VA 1880 census for Mariah, that is my next step.

Thanks again for your interest.