Robert Sydney Cooper, 93, a retired pastor and former chaplain at Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Community, died Dec. 31, 2010.
CooperBorn Oct. 20, 1917, in Sumter, he was a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Bible Institute and Furman University, and held a doctor of theology degree from Southern Seminary.
Active in ministry for more than 70 years, he pastored churches in Kentucky, South Carolina and Washington, D.C. He was pastor of First Baptist Church in Laurens for 27 years and later became pastor emeritus. After his retirement, he served several churches as interim pastor and became the chaplain at Martha Franks.
After retiring again, Cooper and his wife became active members of Spartanburg First Baptist Church. They were also Mobile Meals volunteers for many years. His wife, Irene Nunn Cooper, died in 2007.
He is survived by three children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.