Joel Aubrey Cooper

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Service Schedule
Memorial
First United Methodist Church
723 Center St.
Little Rock, AR  72201
Thursday, April 23, 2015
2:00 P.M.
Memorial Contributions
Bill and Joel Cooper Duke Divinity School Scholarship Endowment
5300 Evergreen Dr.
Little Rock, AR  72205
Joel Aubrey Cooper

of Little Rock, AR

December 26, 1918 - April 17, 2015

The Reverend Dr. Joel Aubrey Cooper, 96, died on April 17, 2015 at Parkway Village Health Center in Little Rock, AR. He was born December 26, 1918 in Paragould, AR.
His beloved wife, Billie Charlene (Thacker) Cooper of Danville, AR preceded him in death in June 2014. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Willis Edward Cooper and Willie Mae Hensely McAden, his oldest son, Paul, and grandsons, John Denton Cooper and Wesley Christopher Cooper, as well as his sister, Nestle Wilkinson.
He is survived by three sons, Rev. Wm. Christopher Cooper (Kathy) of Little Rock, AR; Dr. Marcus Cooper (Donna) of Johnson City, TN; and Clay Cooper (Cindi) of Murfreesboro, TN; a brother John Cooper (Patty) of Conway, AR as well as six grandchildren; Emily Horton (Jimmy), Matt Cooper (Priscilla), Josh Cooper (Jessica), Charlie Cooper (Allison), Casy Brian (Matt), Andee Parks (John) and six great-grandchildren.
Joel was licensed to preach in 1932 at age fourteen. He graduated from Hendrix College in 1940 and Duke Divinity School in 1943. As an ordained United Methodist Minister he served churches throughout the Arkansas conference. His career included church appointments in Vanndale-Cherry Valley, Tuckerman, Conway, Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Ft. Smith from 1944 until his retirement in 1984. He continued to be active in the United Methodist Church even after retirement and worked for Hendrix College in several capacities. He served as the founding pastor for two churches, Maumelle UMC in 1986 and Grace UMC in Conway in 1993.
Recognitions during his seventy years of ministry were numerous. He was named The Progressive Farmer Rural Minister of the Year in 1948. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Hendrix College in 1962. The North Arkansas Conference of the UM Church nominated him as their candidate for election to the Methodist episcopacy in 1976 and 1980. He was a delegate for many years to the General and World United Methodist conferences. He also held numerous Annual Conference, Jurisdictional, and General Conference positions.
Joel was a beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather to his family with his loving wife, Bill, always by his side at home and in his ministry. He was known as a strong and loving minister to the many congregations he served for over fifty years and continued to preach until his very last years.
Throughout his life Joel was a faithful and loyal member of the United Methodist church and was always a devoted fisher of men. However, when he got the opportunity for a free afternoon, he also enjoyed being on the lake catching fish. In retirement he was an avid woodworker, writer, and poet.
After he retired, he always smiled when he handed someone his calling card. On the bottom he had added in bright red ink: WILL PREACH FOR FOOD, and many congregations throughout Arkansas did indeed take him up on it.
In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Bill and Joel Cooper Duke Divinity School Scholarship Endowment through the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas, 5300 Evergreen Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205-1814.
A memorial service will be held at 2 P.M., Thursday, April 23, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.

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10 Condolence(s)
Don&Joanna Banker
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, April 23, 2015

The memorial service at 1st Methodist was beautiful tribute to your father and family.

Doris (Greer) reeder
fayetteville,
Liked
Thursday, April 23, 2015

So sorry to hear Brother Cooper passed away. He was my pastor for many years at Winfield Methodist and he baptized me when I was a young teenager. My family thought highly of him and the rest of the cooper family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his sons, grandchildren and remaining relatives. Love and condolences from the "Silas Greer" family...

Rachel Hawkins
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Thursday, April 23, 2015

It is my pleasure to work with Chris Cooper on the Board of Arkansas Hospice. His kindness and generosity had to have been learned at home. My prayers are with the family.

Susan & Ken Sobel
Conway, AR
Liked
Tuesday, April 21, 2015

We met Joel when we first moved to Conway in 2005. He and Bill were our neighbors on Sandstone for three years. They always greeted us with a wave and a smile, never hesitating to invite us in to visit. Our daughter Harper delighted in playing with Joel's beloved dog, Dandy. Joel used his woodworking skills to guide Ken in building bunk beds for Harper that she still uses. Joel was just a delight to listen to and our autographed copy of No Price I Bring will always be a reminder of an inquisitive mind, generous spirit and open heart that we are glad to have known.

Tony Brighter
Conway, AR
Liked
Tuesday, April 21, 2015

I was blessed with being introduced to both Mr and Mrs Cooper back in 2004 when I started doing what became regular mower maintenance for Mr Cooper. When Mr and Mrs Cooper decided that maintaining their home was becoming more difficult, Mr Cooper made sure he let me know that they had moved and that I wouldn't have to worry about keeping his old mower running anymore. What I never told Mr Cooper was that I would miss my visits with him and his wife. The times I spent getting to know both of them was truely a blessing in itself. Each time I would visit, you could tell that they truely loved one another just by the way they spoke to each other. They always looked at things from the positive point of view and they always took it one day at a time. When my daughter decided to marry, we asked Mr Cooper if he would do the honors for us. He agreed and we will always be forever grateful for his spiritual wisdom that he gave to both our daughter and her husband.
He will truely be missed by the many lives that he became a part of for sure.

Mary Ferguson
Conway, AR
Liked
Monday, April 20, 2015

To Joel's Family: I first met Joel when he and Bill came to live at College Square. They were both such assets to our Home. Joel visited our residents who were hospitalized, and conducted special Thanksgiving and Christmas Services. He also treated us to some of his poetry and other writings. He and my late husband also had many discussions about Duke University over the supper table.
My sincere sympathy goes to all the family at the loss of this truly special person who influenced so many people through the years.
Mary W. Ferguson

David Clemmons
Fort Worth, TX
Liked
Monday, April 20, 2015

Praying for Reverend Chris and the whole Cooper family. My father, the late Reverend Frank R. Clemmons, of Clarksivlle, was a friend and colleague of Dr. Cooper for more than 20 years. Prayers and blessings on a wonderful family!

Barbara Bland VanHorn
Paragould, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 19, 2015

Joel was greatly admired for his strength of character and his faith by countless people. He was a cherished friend of our family. I will pray for your family during this difficult time and ask God to give you comfort, strength, and peace.

Sara Yarbrough
Camden, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 19, 2015

Chris, Marc, Clay and families We are so sorry to hear of your loss of Bro . Joel. Please know that our thoughts and prayers will be with you all during the coming days. Your family has had a special place in our hearts ever since Chris came to Fairview Methodist and we were neighbors.

Sincerely,
Sara and Bill Yarbrough and family

Ron and Karen Matthews
Conway, AR
Liked
Sunday, April 19, 2015

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. We remember what a good man your dad was and his Christian example.