Born in Greenville County, he was a graduate of Parker High School and Luther Rice Seminary, where he received a doctorate in sacred theology.
CooperCooper served as pastor of the following Baptist churches: Good Hope in Aiken; Julian Ave./Tanglewood, Corinth First, Maple Heights, and Oak Crest. After a brief retirement, he served as interim pastor of Arial Baptist Church and Bethel Baptist Church and later joined the staff of New Life Baptist Church as associate pastor. He most recently served as pastor of Berea Heights Baptist Church in Greenville.
Cooper was first married to Joan Chapman Cooper for 43 years prior to her death in 1996, and was married to Carolyn M. Gravley Cooper prior to her death.
Survivors include two sons, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.