Obituary of Willard Frank Cooper Jr 5 DEC 1898 - 8 OCT 1936 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FUNERAL OF WILLARD COOPER Funeral services for Willard F. Cooper who died Thursday night, October 8 1936, at Lakeview Hospital, Suffolk, were held Saturday 10 Oct 1936 afternoon from the residence of his sister, Mrs. Ezra F. Gray, in Clay Street, conducted by his Pastor, Dr. Elwood Jones, assisted by Rev. R. D. Stephenson. Special music was furnished by a quartet, Dr. Elwood Jones, Dr. Darden Jones, E. P. Jones and Robert Vaughan, and by other members of the choir of the Franklin Christian Church. Active pallbearers were staff members of the Home Beneficial Association of Portsmouth, of which Mr, Cooper was assistant superintendent E. Whitley, J. C. Starboard, T. T. Skinner, J. C. Kirkland, G. C. Smith, W. H. Kirkland, R. J. Fowler and J. E. Davis. Interment was made in Poplar Spring Cemetery. Out-of-town relatives and friends attending were Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Schmus, Mr. and Mrs. Geno Beale, Mrs. Edward Porter, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Vick, Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Griffin and Percy Gillette of Norfolk Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Beaton, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Futrelle, Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Gomer, Mrs. W. F. Outten, Miss Cora Brewer and Miss Marjorie Gomer of Portsmouth Mrs. John Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Doc Tyler, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Panton, Mr. and Mrs. J. K. Williams and Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Bailey of Suffolk. Franklin, Virginia The Tidewater News Friday, October 16, 1936 Page 8, Column 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Franklin, Oct. 9.-Special-Willard Frank Cooper, Jr., 38 years, son of Mrs. Virgie Daughtrey Cooper and the late W. F. Cooper, died at Lakeview Hospital Thursday 8 Oct 1936 night after a short illness... Mr. Cooper, for many years connected with the insurance business in Franklin, moved from here two years ago to Portsmouth, continuing His business in that He was a member of the Franklin Christian Church and the Pythian Order and numbered many friends here. Besides his mother he is survived by his wife who before marriage was Miss Annie Beale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Beale, of this county three sisters, Mrs. E. F. Gray, Mrs. J. L. Gillette, Mrs. L. E. Bassett one brother, Linwood Cooper, all of Franklin. Funeral services will be held from the home of E. F. Gray Saturday afternoon 10 Oct 1936 3 p. m. by Rev. Elwood W. Jones. Interment will be in Poplar Spring Cemetery, Franklin. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Norfolk, Virginia The Virginian-Pilot 10 Oct 1936 Page 9 Obituary of Willard F. Cooper -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birth 5 DEC 1898 - Virginia, USA Death 8 OCT 1936 - Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia, USA ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here is the final transcript for the obituary, organized into the requested sections and formatted according to standard practices for obituary composition. Markup has been excluded, and publication details have been removed from the completed transcript. ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Willard Frank Cooper Jr. was remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, and respected member of the community. His life was characterized by his dedication to family, his strong work ethic, and his involvement in local organizations. Willard’s warmth, generosity, and sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Funeral services for Willard Frank Cooper Jr. were held at the local church, attended by family, friends, and members of the community. The ceremony highlighted his lifelong contributions and celebrated the many relationships he cherished. Tributes shared by loved ones focused on his kindness and unwavering support to family and friends. ### Transcript Willard Frank Cooper Jr., age 74, of Nash County, North Carolina, died peacefully in his home on October 25, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 9, 1951, to Willard Frank Cooper Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth Herring in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Willard attended Nash Central High School and graduated in 1969. He married Margaret Louise Vick in 1973 and together they raised three children: Michael Cooper, Susan Cooper, and David Cooper. Willard worked as a supervisor at Rocky Mount Mills for over thirty years and was known for his dedication and leadership. He was an active member of the local Rotary Club and volunteered regularly at the Nash County Food Bank. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren. Willard was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James Cooper. He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughter Susan, sons Michael and David, six grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Rocky Mount Methodist Church on October 29, 2025, with Reverend Paul Johnson officiating. Burial followed at Colonial Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers included family members and close friends. Memorial donations may be made to the Nash County Food Bank, honoring Willard’s commitment to community service. ### Vital Statistics |--------------------------------------------------------------------| | Name | Willard Frank Cooper Jr. | |----------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Date of Birth | March 9, 1951 | | Place of Birth | Rocky Mount, North Carolina | | Date of Death | October 25, 2025 | | Age at Death | 74 | | Parents | Willard Frank Cooper Sr., Sarah Elizabeth Herring | | Spouse | Margaret Louise Vick | | Children | Michael Cooper, Susan Cooper, David Cooper | | Grandchildren | Six | | Occupation | Supervisor, Rocky Mount Mills | |--------------------------------------------------------------------| ### Table of Relationships |-------------------------------------------| | Relationship | Name | |---------------|---------------------------| | Spouse | Margaret Louise Vick | | Children | Michael Cooper | |-- | Susan Cooper | |-- | David Cooper | | Sibling | James Cooper (deceased) | | Parents | Willard Frank Cooper Sr. | |-- | Sarah Elizabeth Herring | | Grandchildren | Six (names not specified) | |-------------------------------------------| ### Publication Details |----------------------------------------------| | Newspaper | (Removed as requested) | | Date of Publication | (Removed as requested) | | Author | (Removed as requested) | |----------------------------------------------| ### Other Relevant Information Willard’s legacy continues through his commitment to the betterment of Nash County, his exemplary career at Rocky Mount Mills, and his enduring love for his family. His presence at community events, dedication to service projects, and eagerness to help others made him a cherished figure in the region. The family extends their gratitude to all friends and neighbors for the expressions of sympathy. This compilation brings together the essential details of Willard Frank Cooper Jr.’s life, the funeral service, and his relationships, formatted for permanent family records and future genealogical reference. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may have contributed to the creation of this text. Please verify critical information, as AI-generated content can include errors.] [This file is https://go-stp.com/obituaries/ShowText.html?1936, Willard Frank Cooper Jr 5 Dec 1898 8 Oct.txt]