Obituary of DONALD EUGENE COOPER

Donald Eugene Cooper of Whittier passed away July 31, 2009 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of Whittier, he was the son of the late William and Lena Massey Cooper. He was an US Army Veteran, Deputy Sheriff for Swain County for several years, and retired from the NC Department of Transportation after 32 years of service. He was a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and served on the Swain County Board of Elections. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge # 427. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lavelle Rose Cooper; a daughter, Linda Cooper; a brother, Oscar and two sisters, Hazel and Ruth. He is survived by two sons, Marvin Cooper and wife Pam of Whittier, Stephen Cooper of Whittier; three daughters, Donna Searcy and husband Larry of Rutherfordton, Shirley (Dean) Sutton and husband Carroll of Whittier, Tanya Cooper of Whittier; three grandchildren, Kevin Cooper, Devon Cooper, and Caylen Key his pride and joy; brothers, Ralph Cooper and Max Cooper of Whittier, William Cooper of Aberdeen, WA; sister, Lois Sellner of St. Augustine, FL; and many special sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Crisp Funeral Home. Rev. Ray Fox and Ralph Cooper will officiate with burial in the Bryson City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral Home.