James Cooper, 82, transitioned to be with his Savior in Lake City, FL on February 12, 2021.

Bro. James Cooper, was born July 09, 1938 to Mr. and Mrs. George and Lillar Cooper and Beatrice Wise in Dade County Florida. He attended the public school in Dade and Suwannee County. He graduated from The New Douglass High School of Live Oak, Florida in the class of 1957.

He was a graduate of Morristown Normal and Industrial College Morristown, Tennessee where he received an Associate of Arts Degree in 1959; Knoxville College, Knoxville, Tennessee where he received a Bachelors in Chemistry, in 1962; Florida A& M University where he received a Master of Education in Mathematics in 1969 and a Specialist in Education from Florida State University in 1991.

James was united in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, Ella Greene of Folkston, Georgia. From this union came two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was employed by Bethune High School in Folkston, Georgia in 1967 where he taught Chemistry. He returned to Live Oak, Florida in 1968, where he worked in several capacities until he retired in December 2002. He taught Mathematics at Suwannee Middle and Suwannee High School.  He ended his career as the Director of Secondary Education.

He really enjoyed working with children and seeing the educational growth they made.

He was a member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church where he served in various capacities over the years including: Sunday School Teacher, Secretary, Treasurer, Steward Board, Trustee Board and Christian Education on the District level. He was the church pianist until his health failed.

Cooper enjoyed singing. He was a member of the Voices of Joy, The Gospel Elites, St. James A.M.E and Bethel South Choirs.

He was a very active member of James Cooper Lodge # 21--Live Oak, Florida where he once served as Worshipful Master, also C.H. Henry Consistory #71 where he received The Prince of the Year Award in 1995. He was a 32 degree Mason. He served on the Board of Directors of the Police Athletic League where he also served as treasurer. He was the president of Douglass High Class of '57. They met once a month and planned and enjoyed many trips and banquets. He was also a member of Douglass High Alumni Association where he also served as treasurer.

James enjoyed teaching and making a difference in a child's life. He believed that all children can learn if the instruction is presented on the child's educational level. In 1981-82 he was Suwannee County Teacher of the Year.  He was also a member of the Suwannee County School Board for four years. James has been a role model and mentor in Suwannee County for many years. He was a member of several other committees and received several awards and plaques too numerous to mention.

Mr. Coopers life's history spans over the course of many years of dedicated service to so many. He spent many years as an Educator, Director of Secondary Education, and a School Board Member all in Suwannee County. He was a devoted member of the St. James AME Church where he served in a many different compacities. Mr. Cooper was an active member of the James Cooper Lodge #21 where he once served as Worshipful Master, also the C.H. Henry Consistory #71. Mr. Cooper was a 32-degree Mason. He was also a former board member of the Police Athletic League. Mr. Cooper was a role model and mentor to many, but most of all a servant.

Mr. Cooper leaves to cherish his loving and devoted wife Ella Greene Cooper; his daughter, LaTasha Cooper of Atlanta, Georgia; his sons, Rodney Cooper (Susan) of Ypsilanti Michigan, and Winston Cooper (Robin) of Clarksville, Virginia; Five grandchildren, Rodney James Cooper, Tariq D. Cooper, Alyssa E. Cooper of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Ariana Johnson of Augusta, Ga, Dominique Cooper of Virginia; Brother, Ralph Wise ( Elaine)  of Miramar FL, Sister-in-Laws, Patricia Greene Haynes of Folkston, GA and Dorothy Harper (Hugh), East Orange, NJ; Brother-in-Laws  Jimmy Knight of Folkston, GA, Johnny Greene ( Patricia) Willie Greene (Martha) Terry Greene (Beverly) James Green (Margo), all of Jacksonville, FL; God Daughters, Rosalind Green of Orlando, FL, Nikki Jackson of Jacksonville, FL and Kerri Brown of Jackson, MS;  An Uncle, Daniel Fields of Miami, FL, an Aunt, Dorothy Carter of Miami, FL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and St. James A.M.E. Church family.

He is preceded in death by his parents Beatrice Wise, George and Lillar Cooper; brothers Austin Wise and Milton Cooper and sisters Louise Williams and Annie B. Cooper