COOPER Benita Elaine Cooper of Gainesville, Florida died Wednesday August 13, 2003 at her home after a brief illness. She was 46. Benita was educated in the Duval County Public School System. She graduated with honors from William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1975. She earned an Associate Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from Santa Fe Community College and continued her education at the University of Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. She worked for 22 years with the Department of Protective Investigation. Benita was a member of Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Gainesville FL. Survivors include her mother, Almeta Cooper of Gainesville; her father Esau Cooper of Jacksonville; sisters Geraldine Cooper, Gladys Pressley and Judea S. Mikell, all of Jacksonville, and Cassandra J. Cooper of Raleigh, N.C; and a brother Harold Cooper of Jacksonville. One niece Ebony Lucas of Washington DC, two nephews Damon Lucas of Washington DC and Sherman G. Mikell of Jacksonville, an Uncle James Davis of Cleveland, Ohio as well as a host of cousins, friends and godchildren. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday August 23, 2003; 6:00 pm at Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church 740 NE 21st Street, Gainesville Florida 32641. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Inc. 500 N.E. Spanish River Blvd, Suite 14 Boca Raton, Fl. 33431. Please sign the Guestbook at Jacksonville.com