Today we celebrate the victory of Melvin Leroy Cooper Sr. and his incredible journey upon his day of eternal rest on October 26, 2021. Melvin was surrounded by family and friends in his final days and as he reached out upon taking his final breath, his brow became unfurled, a smile engulfed his lips, and he peacefully passed. Melvin Leroy Cooper Sr. was born in Woodstock, VA on March 15, 1941, to the late Oswald Bentley Cooper Sr. and Evelyn Pearl Cooper.

Melvin retired from the Navy in 1991, as a Master Chief, after serving his country for 30 years. He continued to serve by dedicating another 30 years working in the private sector as a Logistics Specialists. Melvin travelled the world during his Military career and shared his love for visiting new places and taking long car rides throughout the United States with his family. In his final days, as he reminisced with his family at his bedside, he talked and laughed about the joy of taking care of his family, creating lifelong memories, and ensuring that their lives are filled with an abundance of love and joy, family and connections, adventure, and fun.

Although Melvin always had a connection to his Lord and Savior, he became more fully dedicated to Christ through his membership at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church. It’s at Mount Gilead where Melvin found joy being part of the Men’s Choir Ministry. Singing made him light up with a smile and soothed his inner soul. Both Melvin and his wife, Irma Cooper, enjoyed attending church together, listening to sermons at home together on the couch during covid, and deepening their own love for each other through their spiritual journey together.

Melvin Leroy Cooper Senior was preceded in death by his second daughter Angela Diana Cooper and his third daughter, Melva Hideko Cooper. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 58 years, Irma M. Cooper of Norfolk, VA, and his three surviving children Degale Cooper (Lisa) of Seattle, WA, Melvin Cooper Jr. (Pamela) of Fort Mill, SC, and Cristina Cooper of Clear Water, FL. He is preceded in death by his two brothers Oswald Cooper Jr. and Robert Cooper Sr; survived by his six siblings Roy Cooper (June), Raymond Cooper (Annie), Georgia Cooper, Gary Cooper, Larry Cooper, and Leon Cooper; sister Emma Christian and Aunt Jean Murray; Nine grandchildren, Wilbert, Dale, Michaud, Demel, Shaine, K’yara, Lina, Nathanial, and Amancio; nine great grandchildren, Jaden, Tristin, Sakai, Jordan, Josiah, Jeremiah, Trent, Hayden, and Kekoa; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

“You’re one in a million, a blessing to all of us. I gave you my best.”