Family and friends will assemble at the graveside at Dickson County Memorial Gardens on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. for graveside funeral services. There will be no visitation prior to services. Place of rest in the Dickson County Memorial Gardens.
Those desiring, memorials are suggested to the Jackson Christian School, 832 Country Club Lane, Jackson, TN 38305.
Cooper, age 52, of Dickson, TN died peacefully Saturday, September 3, 2022.
Cooper was all boy from the time he was born. I was all about him being a good athlete; one of which I wasn’t but wanted him to be. He was all boy! Never cried, even after spankings; it wasn’t allowed. He had many stitches over the years because he was all boy. Like jumping off the bed with a yard stick in his mouth; like getting hit in the mouth with the front of a sled; gash in the eye from a ground ball, but the best is playing a basketball tournament at David Lipscomb and getting a cut over his eye in the first half; leaving to find a walk-in clinic to get stitches and playing the second half. Now that’s what I’m talking about. A true “Taylor”.
Cooper loved sports and without bragging, he was a good athlete. He played high school basketball and baseball as an 8th grader, just like his mama. You know they say a boy gets his athleticism from the mama. Cooper was an all-district and all-regional basketball and baseball player but shied from walking into the gym and would go around back to enter the building because he didn’t want to be noticed. I told him “You are the ‘stud’…act like it.” But he never wanted to be the ‘stud’, til he got on the floor or field. He wasn’t like his daddy! Even if it was in my mind. Ha Ha.
Cooper was a good boy but looking back he could never be what I expected. He could score 30 points in a game, and I would critique the things he did wrong. But he always had Wanda, who would cover up my criticism and always brag how good he did! She was always the saint he needed. Cooper always wanted to go to UT. I made all my children except Jill go to Jackson State C.C. to prove they were worthy of going to a 4-year school. Jill was the perfect 3rd child and I had mellowed so she went straight to MTSU.
Trina, the oldest went to Jackson State C.C. as required and played basketball and then to MTSU. Well, Cooper did what we said and went to Jackson State and got 2 Associate Degrees and then enrolled at UT. He was in “Hog Heaven” and loved his beloved UT. He struggled at first and obviously partied too much and had to go to Pellissippi C.C. to get his grades up and then back to UT. He learned a lesson and was finally in his Senior Year. Majoring in Phys Ed and doing internships with the Boys Club and YMCA; he said “that’s what I want to do; work with youth.”
Then at 26 years old, he entered NHC. 26 years and 6 months later, life ended at 52 years old. This was not Cooper or anyone of us had planned, but we all accept and believe that God is in control. And we know Romans 8:28 says, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
As Cooper’s family, we believe in God’s Word!! Our family has been by Cooper’s side 24/7 for 19 years until Mama Penny’s death. He always had the best care of anyone at NHC. He had Jessica Bradford for the past 11 years who took care of him and was like a family member. NHC is a wonderful place that none of us want to have to go, but the people there are caring people and they all loved and cared for our Cooper.
Cooper is survived by his parents; Warner Cooper Taylor Jr. and Wanda Joy Pendergrass Taylor, sisters, Trina Melton (Mark), Jill King, nephews; Jay Melton, Chase Melton, Brooks Melton, Drew King, Cooper King, and niece Lily King.
Lovingly and kindly submitted by his family.
