Robert B. (Bobbie Lee) Cooper was born in Halifax, NC on May 3, 1941 to William and
Mary Lee Cooper, and was the last of 11 children from this union. He entered into
eternal peaceful slumber on November 18, 2024, at the age of 83.

His early years were spent in the Enfield, NC area, until his mother moved the family to
Washington, DC, after the passing of his father. He attended and graduated from
McKinley Technical High School in 1961, and was a two-sport student-athlete during his
time there.

After graduation, he entered the work force, and eventually took the opportunity to
move north to Rochester, NY at the suggestion of one of his older brothers, who’d
already settled there. He initially worked at Strong Memorial Hospital, until receiving an
opportunity to join Eastman Kodak Company. He held several positions there over the
next two-plus decades, until accepting an early retirement offer in 1991. He then served
as a driver for National School Bus Service, Inc. for 9 years.

It was in Rochester that he met his wife Thelma “Duby” (Williams) Cooper in 1962. They
would be married in 1963, and have two children together. They lived in Rochester until
2000, when they relocated to Walterboro, SC.

He was a long-time member of Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, and later New
Life Fellowship Church, both in Rochester. After relocating, he became a member of Mt.
Olive Baptist Church in Walterboro, where he served as a Trustee, Member of the Men’s
Fellowship, Senior Choir and Seniors Day Camp Ministry.

He was a loyal Washington Redskins/Commanders fan and a drag racing enthusiast. He
enjoyed watching anything related to sports, especially football, baseball, basketball and
track & field. One of his favorite activities was singing in his church’s gospel choir. One
of the things he was best known for in both his Rochester and South Carolina
neighborhoods was the care he gave to his lawn. Fun fact: after becoming a South
Carolina resident, he and Duby had the good fortune to be cast as ‘extras’ in two movies
filmed in their area Radio' in 2003 and ‘The Notebook in 2004.

He is predeceased by his parents, brothers Redmond Cooper, James Cooper, Clinton
Cooper, Sherman Lee Cooper and Dotson Cooper, and sisters Rose (Cooper) Cherry,
Willie Mae (Cooper) Hatcher and Mabel (Cooper) Smith.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Thelma “Duby” Williams Cooper,
daughters, Cynthia Cooper-Henry of Albany, NY and Robyn (Victor) Boler of Rochester,
NY, son, Rodric ( Dr. Wanda) Cox-Cooper of Rochester, NY, grandchildren, Victor Boler II,
Vaughn Boler, Vinson Boler, Jalyn Cox-Cooper and Rodric Cox-Cooper II.

He is survived by brothers Calvin Cooper of Rochester, NY and Marc (Marva) Cooper of
Suitland, MD, Sisters-in-law Sarah J. Frasier and Delois Cooper, both of Rochester, NY,
Cynthia Whittle of N. Charleston, SC and Shirley Jones of Ocala, FL, Brother-in-law, Billy
Williams of Lexington, NC, The White, Pullie and Johnson families of Rochester, NY,
longtime friends Walt & Rosa Miller of Sanford, FL and Thomasena Newton of
McDonough, GA, many nephews, nieces, extended family members and friends. Family
and friends were VERY important to him. He proudly served as a father figure, coach
and mentor to many. While he has departed this physical space, he will be immortalized
by the successes and accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and those he
provided advice and counsel to.

Cooper/Poppi/Dad/Bob/Bobbie Lee/Uncle Bob/Coop/Brother Cooper/Mr. Cooper. No matter what you called him, he will be missed dearly!

Celebration of Life for Robert B. Cooper are as follows:

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Celebration of Life:  Friday, December 20, 2024  11:00 am

Mt. Olive Baptist Church 

329 Savage Street 

Walterboro, South Carolina 29488

Please Keep the Cooper family in your prayers.

 Please leave the family a note of Condolence, light a candle of remembrance, or order a floral remembrance piece.  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  And whether I go ye know, and the way ye know. John 14:1-4