Funeral services for Sgt. (Retired) Arthur Lee Cooper of Leslie GA will be held Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. at the Friendship Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia. Burial will follow at the L.S. Cooper Cemetery.
The life’s journey of Arthur Lee Cooper began on January 1, 1945 in Sumter County, Americus, GA to the late Leaston S. Cooper, Sr. and Elnora Westbrook Cooper of Leslie, GA. Arthur gave his life to Christ at an early age and joined New Pineville Baptist which merged with Old Corinth where he remained faithful and dedicated for the duration of his life. He served diligently on the Usher Board for many years.
He was a 1962 graduate of Sumter County High School, Americus, GA. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and served untiringly for four years, serving a year in Vietnam. Arthur attended Georgia Southwestern State and majored in Business Administration. He joined the National Guard and later became Active Duty status in the United States Army. He retired from the Army with 28 years of dedicated services.
Arthur was a committed and devoted public servant who believed in helping others. He excelled in many walks of life and served faithfully throughout the community. He was an unwavering member of the C.B. Dowdell Post #558 and the Auxiliary of the American Legion for 40 years. He was the first and only Commander to serve for 19 consecutive years. He was a strong supporter and advocate for the Edward A. Thomas Scholarship Award and Toys For Kids at Christmas. He was a committed member of the Masonic Order, Past Master of Welcome Lodge #249 and Worthy Patron of Habakkuk Chapter #70 Order of the Eastern Star. He served faithfully as Secretary for the Americus Masonic District #14 and was a faithful member of Thomas Douglas Holy Royal Arch Chapter #4. He was a dedicated employee with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department for 16 years.
Arthur was an avid photographer. He loved listening to his Gospel and R&B special collections. He had a rare sense of humor and was fun to be around. He always dressed for success and was a very proud man who maintained dignity and integrity in everything that he encountered.
During the early Fall morning of Wednesday, November 6, 2013, the Heavenly Father made a visit to the bedside of Arthur Cooper as he slept at his home on Cooper Rd, and said “Arthur, let’s take a ride. You have fought a good fight. You kept the faith. Now, let’s go home and rest.” Arthur so peacefully went home to be with the Lord on November 6, 2013 leaving behind a rich legacy for many generations to come. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Leaston S. Cooper, Sr. and Elnora Westbrook Cooper; brothers: Joe, Leaston Jr., Eugene and Nathaniel; and sisters: Annie Clara, Sarah, Gertrude and Eddie Mae.
He leaves precious memories to his loving wife of 43 years, Carolyn Cooper; his four children: Karen (Keith) Timmons of Leslie, GA, Marcus Cooper (Tonya) of Rock Island, Illinois, Melbae Abernathy (Charles) of Durham, North Carolina and Attorney Melody (Joseph) Ebron of Augusta, GA. He will be sadly missed by his nine grandchildren: Desmond Timmons, Jamar, Karissa and Christian Abernathy, Cortavious Stephens, DeMarcus, Kayla and Sanai Cooper, and Brayden Ebron. He will be forever loved by his six sisters and seven brothers: Nadine (John) King of Smithville, GA, Vera (Arie) Arney of Dallas, GA, Rena Cooper of Conyers, GA, Barbara Linnear, Eartha (Johnny) Robertson of Augusta, GA, Irene Rutherford of Americus, GA, Willie Cooper, Eddie Lee (Effie) Cooper of Leslie, GA, Reubin (Vivian) Cooper, Ceasar Cooper of Miami, FL, Tony (Amanda) Cooper of Americus, GA, Thomas (Angellette) Cooper of Fayetteville, NC, and Royzell (Shirley) Cooper of Vienna, GA; sisters-in-law: Minnie Cooper of Tacoma, WA and Delorne Cooper of Leslie, GA. A special thanks to his caregivers his steadfast, loving sisters Barbara and Rena. He will always have a special place in the hearts of his brothers and sisters-in-law: Bural Wade of Andersonville, GA, Michael (Annie) Wade of Americus, GA, Bettye Dean of Orlando, FL, Sara (Albert) Mills Jr. and Earnestine (Robert) Colbert of Andersonville, GA, Dr. Oneida (Arthur) Ingram of Americus, GA, Brenda (Melville) Griffin and April Johnson of Atlanta, GA and Evelyn Williamson of Mount Vernon, NY; a host of nieces, nephews, others relatives, and many sorrowing friends. Arthur loved everyone and was loved by his family and friends. He will always be remembered and never forgotten.