On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Lord extended his comforting hand and led his faithful son, Samuel Nolan Cooper, home to be with Him and his wife and children. Samuel, affectionately called “Pap”, “Coop”, or “Sam” peacefully transitioned, during his sleep, in the comfort of his grandson Rashek’s home in Concord, North Carolina.

Pap was born to Charles and Pinkie Cooper on January 6, 1923, in Elizabeth, PA.  He was the oldest of eight children from this union.  He also had five half-sisters and brothers who were all raised together in one household in McKeesport, PA.

Coop met the love of his life, Ernestine Davis at a dance in Clairton, PA and they married on November 8, 1947.  From this union, they had four children. He accepted Christ and was baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church where he worshipped until he moved to live with his son, Bunny in Atlanta.

Pap was only able to attend school until the sixth grade when he had to end his studies to begin working to help support the family.  Pap worked various jobs such as a funeral parlor assistant, candy store cashier, wall washer, and many more odd jobs until he became employed by US Steel and retired from there after 42 years of service.

To know Pap or Coop or Sam was to love him.  Pap was full of fun, energy, and laughter. In his younger days, Pap would be known to frequent the beer gardens in McKeesport and the dance halls in the surrounding cities.   He loved to tell stories of his adventures and had such a good memory of people and events.  He was ever so happy to have a listening ear to spin those tales.  Pap also had an affinity for different colored duct tape and would duct tape everything!!  He also had a love of contact paper and would do the same with it on table tops, picture frames, and any item that could be covered!  Pap loved to “tinker” and build and fix things, so one had to be careful not to leave him alone for too long! Pap loved to dance, and even in his 90s, he was dancing with the younger generation who would look at him in awe. He was a sharp dresser at all times and was known for his crisp suits, vests, and ties.  He was “clean”.  Even when he attended the adult daycare, he was always “dressed to the nines” and said that the “sugar babes” were after him. To go into his home, your eyes would be drawn to the many collages of family and friends that he would have hanging on the walls.  It was always like a trip down memory lane! 

Coop was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Ernestine Cooper; daughter, Stephanie Johnson; son, Samuel Cooper; sisters, Leona Johnson; Sadie Carter, Gussie Walker; Pearl Amos; brothers, Charles (Bud); George; James; Floyd; and Carl; and great-grandson, Dante Adams.  He is survived by his daughter Sonya Cooper; son William (Billy); sisters Mabel Brooks; Violet Lockett; and brother Eugene Cooper; grandchildren, Shawntaye Andrews (Vernon); Marimba Johnson-Bright; Samba Johnson, Rashek Jones, Christopher Cooper; great-grandchildren, Ashley Jones; Camden Jones, Niani Bright, Harlin Jones, Melanie Cooper, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

If you knew Sam Cooper, he was not a sad person.  He was always full of life, and he does not want you to be sad, but remember the good times you had with him. Remembering those times when you went to their house during the holiday. That was the place to go, be merry, and have a drink or two.  He would say, “ The good times don’t owe me nothing! “ A man well loved, and a life well lived!