Ellen Darsey Cooper

Cochran – Ellen Darsey Cooper, age 83, died Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Bryant Nursing and Rehab in Cochran. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Mathis Funeral Home. The family will greet friends after the service Saturday at Mathis Funeral Home. Burial will be private in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mrs. Ellen was a lifelong resident of Bleckley County. She was the daughter of the late Bennie and Johnnie Chance Darsey and was preceded in death by her brother, Sonny Darsey and her sister, Sue Darsey Kimberly. Mrs. Ellen was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing and made many dresses and outfits for her family. Almost daily, she made wonderful scratch buttermilk biscuits and cornbread. We always looked forward to enjoying her fruitcake cookies, lady fingers and ambrosia at Christmas. Her family will also remember fondly her excellent cakes cooked for birthdays and family gatherings. Family members often asked for her rutabagas as well as her fried chicken tenders at extended family gatherings. Her children and grandchildren, along with the rest of her family, will cherish the memory of our sweet mama.

Later in life, she learned how to make beautiful floral arrangements while working part time for her niece at her flower shop, Karen's Florist. Around 1979, she began working for McVay's Florist and worked there for several years. In 1993 she opened Ellen's Florist and Gift Shop where she created many lovely floral arrangements. Mrs. Ellen closed her shop after 15 years in 2008.

Mrs. Ellen was a member of Southside Baptist Church where she often helped in the church nursery and attended the Willing Workers Sunday School Class.

Survivors are her husband of 66 years, Donald A. Cooper, her daughters, Donna (Ricky) Smith and Rosa Roberts; her sons, Allen Cooper and Mark Cooper; grandchildren, Aubrey Smith, Corey (Maura) Smith, and Eric Dye; her sisters, Joan Bowman and Dianne (Wade) Rogers; her brothers, Bo (Gayle) Darsey and Keith (Carlene) Darsey; several nieces and nephews.

We, the family, appreciate the staff at Bryant Nursing and Rehab. The wonderful CNA's, nurses and other staff who are special to our family for their wonderful and compassionate care. Thank you to Hospice Care Options of Eastman for your loving care from the nurses, Chaplin, CNA's and volunteers that enriched her life the last year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3040 Riverside Dr, Macon, GA 31210 or to Gideons International.

The family is at 863 Mac Thompson Road, Cochran.

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