Cornelius Cooper Jr.

Cornelius Cooper, Jr. was born June 12, 1938, to the late Deacon Cornelius Cooper, Sr., and Deaconess Martha Taylor Cooper. He was the twelfth and last child born from this union. Cornelius was educated in Powhatan Public Schools. He graduated in 1957 from Pocohontas High School and was president of his class. He attended J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and worked toward a degree in business administration.

He joined Guildfield Baptist Church at an early age. He faithfully served as chairman of the trustee board, ushers ministry and male chorus. He was drafted into the United States Army where he served 3 years. Cornelius was married to the late Ernestine Walker Cooper for 42 years. From that union two children were born. He was married to the late Emily M. Cooper for 17 years before her passing in 2024.

Cornelius was a hard worker and always provided for his family. His work history included school bus driver for Powhatan County schools, tractor trailer driver for Standard Drug Company, machine operator for Dupont and Phillip Morris. He was later employed with the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier. He retired from USPS as a maintenance technician with a combined service of 25 years. After retirement Cornelius was a “man with a truck.” He had a lawn care business, hauled trash, moved furniture and other odd jobs. He was an Uber driver for family and friends before there was such a thing. He would give rides to the grocery store and appointments. He picked up his grandchildren from school (but he could not drive his raggedy truck). If you needed him, all you had to do was call and he would be right there.

Cornelius was a member of the United Sportman’s Social Club and enjoyed their annual trip to Atlantic City. He served as secretary of Shining light Lodge #272 for over 25 years, traveling the state for conferences (and getting lost). He enjoyed getting together with friends to “shoot the breeze...” Cornelius was a talker and he never forgot a face! He was well known in the Powhatan, Midlothian, and Richmond communities. He was known by many names, Cornelius, Cooper, Coop, CC, Junnie, Junebug, Daddy, & Papa. But whatever you called him he was a faithful friend. If you knew him, you knew he loved God. He loved his family and friends. He loved to play the VA Lottery. Golden Corral was his favorite place to eat. And he was a Dallas Cowboys fan to the end!

Cornelius was preceded in death by his wife Emily Cooper, his eleven siblings Gladys C. Goode, Edith C. Coleman, Mable C. Goode, Martha C. Vaughn, Faustina C. Jackson, Mary C. Clarke, Thomas Cooper, Sr., Napolean Cooper, Carlise Cooper, Rev. Howard C. Cooper, Sr. and Marian C. Branch.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving children, Marcia C. Edmonds and Jefffery T. Cooper; 4 granddaughters Marchelle L. Edmonds (Kederio), Jasmine T. Henderson (DreVonte), Jessica T. and Jordyn T. Henderson; 4 great grandsons Justice and Jayce Jarvis, Makari and Leo Thompson; and 1 precious great granddaughter, Kori Thompson. Four sisters in laws, Mabel Townes Cooper, Irene Taylor, Caroyln Johnson, and Sarah Martin (Artos); a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.