Gerald Rudolph Cooper

Gerald Rudolph Cooper, age 99 passed peacefully away at his home on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Rocky Mount, Virginia. He served in the army during WWII stationed in Korea as a transportation mechanic and was a long-standing member in the local American Legion. He worked as a Maintenance Supervisor at DuPont during his working career.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Vangie Lee Ellis; father, Chafe Lee Cooper; and mother, Cora Iloe Cooper; siblings, Avery “Pedro” Cooper (Doris), Irene C. Ferguson (Albert), Cash Cooper (Betty) and Gaynell Messenger (Dee).

He is survived by two daughters, Leslie Anne Cooper and Susan C. Biggs (Gregg); along with grandchildren, Michael Brengel (Janie), Megan Cowley (Ryan) and David Brengel (Stephanie); and great-grandchildren, Clara and Grayson Brengel, Riley and Conner Brengel and Carter Cowley; sisters, Kitty Cooper Haynes (Jim) and Martha Cooper Brooks (Buddy).

We are deeply grateful to nurses Betsy Mason and Angelina McCauley for the gentle care, patience and love to our family and Dad during his long illness.

Funeral services will be held at Flora Funeral Chapel, 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 4, 2026 with Rev. Joe Dillon officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.