Edward B. "Benny" Cooper

Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces funeral services for Edward B. Cooper, Jr., known to friends and family as "Benny", age 71, of Blairsville, who went home to our Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at Tranquility at Kennesaw Mountain Hospice in Marietta, Georgia.
Benny was an outgoing, adventurous boy and the oldest of 6 children. At about age 10, he accepted Christ and was baptized in Cochran Lake off Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta. Benny was a baptized member of Chattahoochee Baptist Church in Marietta. Benny and his family were attending New Hope Methodist Church near their home in Marietta, when he met "Dot" while they were both attending a youth group meeting. They began dating and were only 16 and 17 years old when they were married. Unknown to both of their parents, they ran off to Buchanan, Georgia to the justice of the peace. They had car trouble and were rescued by Benny's aunts and uncle who were only a few years older. When the JP called Benny's Dad to ask if Dot's parents knew she was getting married, he was caught off guard, but he didn't give them away. Although, a bit stunned at the time, Dot's parents soon loved Benny like a son. He was a native of Cobb County but always had a love for Union County. He always told folks that he had the "best view in Union County" and he loved to sit on his front porch and look at Brasstown Bald Mountain

Most everyone would agree that Benny was the hardest working man that they knew. He had a strong work ethic that was instilled in him by his Dad. They worked several jobs together as electricians, then at water treatment facilities at Ft. Benning, Georgia and at Lockheed in Marietta. There was nothing that he couldn't build or fix. Benny started Cooper Construction Company in the early 1970's and built his home in Blairsville. Later, he ventured to start Serv-Tech, Inc. doing HVAC and Electrical on manufactured homes and retired in 1999. Benny worked hard to provide for his family, but he played hard too. Benny loved to play golf and when Lockheed went on strike in 1978, he seized the opportunity to play on the Florida Space Coast Tour. Locally, Benny won a few tournaments at the Butternut Creek course. He and his wife, Dot would travel every year to Daytona Beach to vacation on the beach and enjoy the Daytona 500 race. They had bought a large motor home to travel and enjoy retirement, but sadly a week after celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, Dot passed away peacefully in her sleep.

He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him, but especially missed by his family: daughter and son-in-law, Kaye Cooper & Johnny Garner; three sisters, Betty & Jeff Hatle; Regenia Gaskin; Melba & Bob Whitesides and brother, Emory and Dale Cooper. Sharing in his legacy are nieces, Shelle Reuland & her husband David; Laura Lobo & her husband James; and Bethany and Brooke Morris; nephews, Stacy Grizzard, Jason Gaskin & Angela Sirico; Brandon Cooper & his wife Monica; Wyman and Jordan Whitesides; and Blake Cooper; great nieces and nephews, Britni, Tia, Chase Grizzard, Mabry, Lynlee Reuland, Isaac, Ian, Elijah Cooper, and Rhett Morris along with many extended family and close friends. Benny was preceded in death by: his loving wife of 40 years, Dorothy "Dot" Reece Cooper; parents, Edward & Laura (Mabry) Cooper; brother, James Cooper and father & mother-in-law, Josiah & Avie Burnette Reece.

Funeral services for Benny will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 from the Chapel of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, with Rev. Bill Honaker officiating. Special music will be presented by David Braddy and John Nix. Interment will follow in Shady Grove Methodist Church Cemetery. The following gentlemen have been selected to serve as pallbearers: Dru Cosner, Mike Chumley, Chase Grizzard, Kevin Hutson, Brad Hutson and Mike Stephens. Honorary Pallbearers will include: Weldon Reece, Anceberry Burnette and Ronnie Mason. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, from 6 until 9 p.m.

If you wish to do so, memorial contributions may be made to Shady Grove Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 928, Blairsville, GA 30514.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. You may share your condolences with Benny's family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com