Rev. Charles D. “Pete” Cooper, of Florence, died December 7, 2016. A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Church (252 South Dargan Street) at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 12, 2016, with burial immediately following the service, in the St. John’s Memorial Garden. A reception will follow in St. John’s Fellowship Hall. Mr. Cooper was born in Lancaster, SC, and was raised in Great Falls and Clinton, SC. A 1963 graduate of Clinton High School, Pete was a member of the Class of 1967 at The Citadel. He also received postgraduate degrees from Furman University and the University of the South (Sewanee) and was ordained in the Episcopal Church, 1981. Pete served in the United States Marine Corps and was most proud of his fellow Marines. He spent many years as priest, teacher, coach, chaplain, assistant headmaster of several schools beginning his career with Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, SC, and ending with Trinity Byrnes Collegiate School near Florence. He loved all of his school families. He also served in the Church as Assistant and Rector of several Parishes beginning at St. John’s Church in Columbia, retiring as Rector of St. John’s Church in Florence after 20 years, and continuing as Interim at The Church of the Ascension in Hagood, SC, until the time of his death. His other service included St. David’s in Cheraw, SC, and St. Cyprian’s in Lufkin, TX. Again, he loved all of his parish families. Given the opportunity and encouragement by his parishes, Mr. Cooper spent much time working in the community. His many awards and recognitions were always met with the same answer, “Thanks to the Lord and to the many other people more deserving.” His greatest reward was seeing parishioners and others become engaged in community service leadership and volunteerism. Thanks be to God. He was predeceased by his mother, Georgia Mildred Wade Cooper, his stepfather, Calvin Asa Cooper, and brother, James Robinson Cooper. Pete’s greatest love, after the Lord, was his family. He is survived by his loyal wife of 47 years, Elizabeth Blair Blackwell Cooper (Florence); son – Gordon Wade Cooper (Abbey), Charleston, SC; daughter Ashley Blair Cooper Scott (John III) Florence, SC; daughter Elizabeth Lyles Cooper Lyles (Brandon) Florence, SC; six grandchildren, Savannah, Gracie, Charlie, Ford, Dennis and Woods; his sister, Beki Crogan (Rick) of Southport, FL; his brother, Francis Cooper (Jane) of Little River, SC; and his sister-in-law, Marilyn Cooper of Joanna, SC. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorials may be made to St. John’s Church, 252 South Dargan Street, Florence, SC 29506, The Church of the Ascension, PO Box 129, Rembert, SC 29128, or Trinity-Byrnes Collegiate School, 5001 Hoffmeyer Road, Darlington, SC 29532. Waters-Powell Funeral Home is serving the family of Rev. Cooper.
Posted in: The State
Posted on: 2016-12-09
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=charles-douglas-cooper-pete&pid=183031579&fhid=4461#sthash.ylTxdAgm.dpuf