Charles Leonard Johnson Cooper

Mr. Charles Leonard Johnson Cooper was born to Wyonna Johnson and Charles Cooper on July 12, 1934, in Wilmington, Del.

He later resided with his grandmother, Mary Eliza Loper, and his aun,t Ella Mae Sipple, who raised him in Philadelphia. He attended Bartram High School and the Philadelphia Art Academy, where he earned an associate degree. He served in the United States Air Force and was discharged in the early 1950s. Charles (Coop) married his first wife, Doris, on Feb. 14, 1959, and from that union they had two children, Lear White and Kenya Cooper. He later married his second wife, Brenda, and raised two children, Dellece and Vaughn.

In his early years, Charles worked as a Philadelphia police officer, where he retired. Upon retirement he relocated to New York, where he worked for the state and retired as a supervisor of the sign painting department. He relocated to Matoaca, Va., in September 2005. Charles was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Gordon Heights, N.Y., for many years, where he served as Sunday school superintendent and played drums as part of the Music Ministry. In New Yor,k he was very active in many civic organization,s such as Gordon Heights Progressive Association, where he developed "Project Watch." He joined Good Shepherd Baptist Church after moving to Virginia where he served on the Security Ministry.

Coop was a multitalented God-fearing man. Some of his talents included drawing, poetry, painting and a musician. He was called by many the "devotee" of music because of his astute knowledge of all kinds of music. He could tell you without effort the type of music, the artist and when it was made. He played traditional drums as well as African Djembe and Conga drums. He sang with several groups, one being the Southern Harmonizers. He had a genuine thirst for knowledge regarding African heritage, plants, trees and the natural order of life. Coop had a love for people and always served as a source of inspiration to many, especially youth. He always had a word of encouragement for anyone attempting to do anything positive. He was a good listener and a mentor to many. No matter how busy he was, he would find time for you if you needed him. He enjoyed life to the fullest but first and foremost he loved God. Not far behind God was golf. In retirement he looked for every opportunity to get on a golf course.

Coop was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Ralph, Alphonso, Jerome and Theodore; and three sisters, Lillian, Gertrude and Joann.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his children, Lear, Kenya, Dellece and Vaughn; seven grandchildren, Christopher (1973-1991), Stacy, Brian, Tiffany, Tyrone, Dion and Kamil; his devoted partner and friend of more than 15 years, Yvonne Rivers; a brother, Ronald Johnson of Wilmington, Del.; his aunt, Ella Mae Sipple; two nephews, Harold McManus and his wife, Kendra, and William Johnson of Wilmington, Del.; two nieces, Romayne Flowers of Washington, D.C., and Lynn Johnson of Silver Springs, Md.; a devoted friend, Helen Kieley; a host of family and friends and golf buddies from Canada to Puerto Rico to South Africa.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2009, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 2225 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Va.; the Rev. Jeffrey L. Reaves Sr., senior pastor. Interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park and Mausoleum.

Family members and friends are invited to pay final tribute to Mr. Cooper online at www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com where you may view a video tribute online or at the establishment.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff of the J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment Inc., 102 South Ave., Petersburg, Va., (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.