CASTALIA - Robert Lee Cooper, age 70, passed away on Friday, September 18, 2015. Born in Nash County, NC on October 21, 1944, he was the son of the late John N. Cooper and Helen Kearse Cooper. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Adelia Rogers Cooper and one brother, John "Jack" Cooper.

A Veteran of the United States Army, Robert served proudly overseas in Vietnam. Upon returning to his home in Castalia, he and his wife Adelia happily raised their 3 daughters until her passing in 1998. Robert was an animal lover at heart, especially when it came to his cattle and horses which he raised on his farm, jokingly dubbing it his second job to those he knew. Aside from his farm, he was employed with Boddie Noell Enterprises for 25 dedicated years. A man of great faith, he was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon and was also on the building and grounds committee. Robert demonstrated to others his capacity to love and give of himself to those around him whether it was through his church or his active involvement with Meals on Wheels. He always welcomed the company of others, be it friend or stranger, as good conversation and new friendships came as second nature. Nothing however could ever be as dear to his heart as was his family. Robert was a loving husband to his late wife, a caring father and grandfather and having never met a stranger, a dear friend to all who knew him.

Robert leaves behind to cherish his memory, his daughters, Robin Joyner, and her husband, Jeff, of Castalia; DeAnne Cooper of Castalia; and Helen Nunnery and her husband, Patrick, of Nashville; and by his grandchildren, Dylan Nunnery, Samantha Nunnery, Andrew, Nunnery, Ashleigh Joyner, and Dalton Joyner. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Carol Pelt and her husband, Cliff, of Castalia; a niece, Mary Helen Taylor of Castalia; and his nephew, Al Hyde of Nashville.

A Funeral Service was held on Monday, September 21, 2015 at 2:00 pm in the Chapel of Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, with Reverend Matt Baldwin officiating. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. The family received friends and relatives on Sunday, September 20, 2015 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in the memory of Robert to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611-3201.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.

Paid obituary