COOPER, Billy Edward

Mr. Billy Edward Cooper, age 80, of Rome, GA, passed away Saturday, July 27, 2019, in a Cartersville hospice facility.

Mr. Cooper was born in Tallahassee, FL, on February 24, 1939, son of the late V. L. Cooper and the late Christine Eubanks Cooper Alderson. He was a 1957 graduate of Darlington School. He attended Pearl River Junior College in Mississippi and graduated from Carson-newman University in Jefferson City, TN with a B. S. degree in Political Science. Mr. Cooper served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Prior to his retirement, he was employed with State Mutual Insurance Company here in Rome for many years. After having worked at the Y. M. C. A. early in his years, he continued to be an active volunteer. He was also a youth coach at the Boys Club for many years. Mr. Cooper was a member of First Baptist Church of Rome.

Survivors include his wife, the former Patricia “Patsy” Kelly, to whom he was married on June 18, 1966; a daughter, Christi Cooper Cates (Bruce), Rome; a son, Todd Cooper (Ashley), Jefferson, GA; 4 grandchildren, Anna Katherine Cates and Cooper Cates, both of Rome, and Ava Grace Cooper and Emma Kay Cooper, both of Jefferson, GA.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at 3pm at First Baptist Church of Rome with his Pastor, the Rev. Matt Duvall RI¿FLDWLQJ 3ULYDWH LQWHUPHQW will follow later in Georgia National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church on Wednesday from 1 until 2:45pm.

,Q OLHX RI ÀRZHUV Phprrials donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Rome Preschool, 100 E. 4th Avenue, Rome, GA 30161.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, Oaknoll Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements.

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn WR ORYH RXUVHOYHV ¿UVW LQ DOO our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”

— John Lennon