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Obituary for Clarice Cooper
“Rea”…Clarice Agnes Monroe Cooper, transitioned from earth to heaven on May 16, 2015. She was born August 4, 1927 in Brunswick County, Virginia. Clarice, affectionately known as “Rea” was the fourth/last child of the late Carter James Monroe and Esther Johnson Monroe. She was educated in Brunswick County where she completed high school at Saint Paul’s Normal and Industrial School, Brunswick County, Virginia. “Rea” was a self proclaimed historian as she collected church programs/obituaries and organized them neatly in a well kept notebook. Her memory was very much in tact until her illness and it was important to her for her immediate family to “know their history” as well the “connections” to others. Clarice was employed at Southside Virginia Training Center where she later retired. Clarice’s other interests in which she served as an employee include the McKenney Dairy Freeze, Avon and Curator of church programs for various churches. Clarice was married to the late Joseph Washington Cooper. Together they nurtured, loved and raised three children, one of whom is deceased (Joe-Joe). Clarice was a faithful member of Piney Grove Baptist Church where she served in several organizations to include the Usher Board, Pastor’s Aide and the Missionary Circle. Clarice never knew a stranger as she was affectionately known for her warm greeting “hey child”. She not only served at Piney Grove Baptist Church but Clarice also served fervently in several positions at Big Bethel Baptist Church. She was an ardent member of the Usher Board, Deaconess Board, Missionary Circle and the Hospitality Ministry. Clarice was preceded in death by her siblings, Thomas Monroe, Carter Monroe and Mary Smith. She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter Mary Esther (Sis) of the home and James Alton (Liz) of Brunswick County, Virginia; two grandchildren, James (Shantel) of Petersburg and Chanda of Mckenney, Va; 6 grandchildren, Antonio Surley Jr., Cierra Cooper, Monique and Montel Ervin (twins), T’mari Buford and James A Cooper III; many nieces…two very special, Sheila Craig Mills and Andrea Anderson Tucker, both of Richmond, Virginia; nephews…one very dear, Alvin Fletcher of Freeman, Virginia; cousins, relatives and friends. A special bond was developed with the staff of the Crater Community Hospice Care during Clarice’s illness. To them, like Clarice, the family is grateful!! Funeral services will be held on Saturday May 23, 2015 at the Big Bethel Baptist Church 11110 Marguerita Ragsdale St, Mckenney at 1PM. Rev. Alexander Williams will officiate . Viewing will be at the funeral home on Thursday 2PM to 8PM and Friday 10AM to 8PM. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 7PM to 8PM. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to W.L. Fields Funeral Home, 10814 Doyle Blvd. Mckenney. (804) 478-4811.
