Rev. Charles Clifford Cooper

Funeral Services for Rev. Charles Clifford Cooper, age 85, of Rickman, will be Saturday, April 9, 2016, 1:00 p.m. at the One-Eleven Fellowship, 6200 Hwy. 111 North, Cookeville. The family will receive friends Friday evening, April 8, 2016 at the church from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until time of the service. Burial will follow in the Okalona Cemetery in Overton County. Mr. Cooper passed away Wednesday morning, April 6, 2016 at his home. He was born June 8, 1930 in Overton County TN to the late George Cullum Cooper and Sarah Cooper Cooper. Charles raised his family in Michigan and spent his adult life in the Ministry as a Free Will Baptist pastor. He was co-founder of three churches in Michigan; the East Side Free Will Baptist Church in Detroit, Faith Free Will Baptist in Romeo and the Free Will Baptist Mission in Lewiston, as well as helping his son establish the One-Eleven Fellowship in Cookeville TN. During his time as pastor Bro. Cooper served two churches; the West Side Free Will Baptist Church of Detroit for 10 years and the Troy Free Will Baptist Church for 35. Charles also served on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, was the promotional director for the Michigan Association of Free Will Baptists, moderator of the Liberty Association of Free Will Baptists, and founder and editor of the Free Will Baptist monthly newspaper called the Menorah. He enjoyed music and sang with the Tennessee Harmony Boys Trio for 10 years and the Straitway Trio for 14 years. Bro. Cooper also had a radio ministry in Royal Oak, Michigan for 10 years. He enjoyed playing golf, and spending time with his grandchildren. Bro. Cooper is survived by 4 children; Roger (Inis) Cooper of Cookeville, Joan (Steve) Brown of Rickman, Gregory (Susan) Cooper of Madison Hgts. Michigan, and Curtis (Kimberly) Cooper of Algood. In addition Charles is survived by one brother, George Cooper (Vonda) of Glasgow, KY, 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and church family. In addition to his parents, Bro. Cooper was preceded in death by his wife, Maude Wilson Cooper, a daughter, Wanda Karen Cooper, two sisters; Mae Green and Geneva Bilbrey, and four brothers; Arlon, Claude, James and Homer Cooper. Pallbearers will be grandsons Roger Jr., Randy, Charlie, Gregory Jr., Aaron, Patrick, Curtis Jr. and Cody Cooper and Steven Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Dawson and Rusty Cooper and Eli Moore. Bro. Curtis Lilly and Bro. Roger Cooper will be conducting the services. Amedysis Home health and Gentiva Hospice have done a wonderful job of taking care of Charles, and your kindness will never be forgotten. The family has requested memorial contributions be made to the One-Eleven Fellowship or the Free Will Baptist Board of Retirement. Contributions may be made at Dyer Funeral Home.