Obituary of Robert O. Cooper

Robert O. (Bob) Cooper, of Lexington, was born August 9, 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland and passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2017, he was 74 years old. Bob learned to play the guitar from his left-handed Uncle Ira when he was around 16 years old. He commented that this was very difficult, but he figured it out. His musical talent increased as he got older and when he backed Johnny Cash at the Township Auditorium on one occasion, Johnny Cash mentioned that Bob was one of the best guitar pickers he had ever heard, including his own, Billy Byrd. Bob was offered a Grand Ole Opera contract and with pen in hand to sign decided then and there to dedicate his musical talent to the Lord. Soon after making the decision to use his talent for God he joined the Memory Singers' Gospel singing group and traveled with this talented group for 26 years spreading God's word through music. He loved God first and foremost and was devoted to his wife, Pat White Cooper. He loved and prayed for all his children. His hope was to see all of them in heaven someday. Bob and Pat adopted a daughter from India, Sandra Shadrack. Through sacrifices Bob sent money each month so his adopted child could get an education and also help her entire family. Bob will be loved and missed. Bob is survived by his children, Pam Williamson (Bobby), Lori Cooper-Wehr, Mandy Cooper, Dawna White, David White (Dee) and Debbie Godwin (John); Grandchildren, Taylor, Breanna, Kyle, Amie, Joshua, Nicole, Caitlyn, Jessie, Kevin, Christine; great grandchildren, Jaiden, Alaysia, Jaxon; sisters, Joan Robinson, Sharon Rogers and Janet Clamp. He also had many nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his father and mother, Owen and Anna May Cooper; his wife, Pat White; and a sister, Anna Jeanne Cooper. He was a painter and worked with his father all his life in Columbia and surrounding areas. He was a member of Columbia First Seventh-day Adventist Church. Visitation will be held Thursday evening 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Woodridge Memorial Funeral Home, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC. Funeral services will be held Friday, 1:00 p.m. at The Columbia First Seventh-day Adventist Church, 243 Riverchase Way, Lexington, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Columbia First Seventh-day Adventist Church or Agape Hospice Center, 141 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC 29210.