James Oliver Cooper

James Oliver Cooper, 92, passed away on Monday, March 15, 2010, at his home in Penhook, Va. He was born on July 16, 1918, in Calands, Va., to the late Mary Adkins Cooper and Henry Lee Cooper. Also preceding him in death was his loving wife of 48 years, Lula Williams Ayers Cooper; a stepmother, Gladys Anderson Cooper; a sister, Julia Aileen Cooper; brothers, Wilson Jennings Cooper, Friel Allen Cooper, and Gerald Saunders Cooper and wife, Harriet; and a sister-in-law, Nell Cooper. Surviving are brothers, Edwin Ferris Cooper, and Norris Lee Cooper (Pat); nieces, Julie Cooper Horton, Sharon Cooper Borel, Knoke Shelton, and Lynn Manns; nephews, Gerald Cooper Jr., Dale Cooper, Michael Cooper, and Edwin Ferris Cooper Jr., and their families; and special cousin, Carol Lee Cooper. Also left to cherish his memory is his wifes family, Nancy Lynch Cooper, Geraldine Webster Hylton, Christine Webster Wagner, and Elizabeth Bussey Webster, and families. Cooper joined the Army in 1939 and was assigned to the 1st Coast Artillery Unit in the Panama Canal Zone. He returned home after an honorable discharge. He was home just a few days when he heard about the Pearl Harbor bombing and enlisted again, this time in the Air Force. He traveled to England on a troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth. Later, he saw action and combat landings in many areas of the European Theater of War, including Arzew, Algeria, Gela, Sicily, the Sele River, and at Anzio-Nettuno, all in Italy, and at Raphael, in Southern France. He also spent time in Germany. Sergeant Cooper received eight battle stars for combat action, plus many ribbons. He was awarded the French Croix de Guerre, as his highest honor. After being discharged, Cooper became a deputy sheriff in Pittsylvania County, where he spent 10 years. He later worked at the TRW plant in Rocky Mount, Va., also as a Justice of The Peace, and was employed the United States Postal Service. Cooper was a substitute teacher at the Franklin County High School for five years. He was also elected to the Rocky Mount Town Council. The funeral will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, 140 Floyd Avenue, Rocky Mount, Va. The Rev. John Wallace will officiate. Burial to follow in Mountain View Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Franklin County, Franklin County Humane Society/Planned Pethood of Rocky Mount or a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank his angels, Fran Smith, Karen Tosh, the Rev. Rick Poland, and Martha McNeill of Hospice, and his devoted caretakers, Judy Sunshine Jackson and Doris Dottie Davis. Arrangements by Lynch Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, Va., 540-483-5533. www.lynchconnerbowman.com