My heart breaks as I read the posts about Jesse's passing.  I am grateful I knew him when he was a teenager and attended Mt. Zion Baptist with his close friends, Tony Wilroy and Jay Bell.  Jesse was always smiling. One of my favorite memories was our trip to Chicago, IL. Our church van quit running on the trip up there and we gathered everybody to pray.  After our prayer, it cranked right up and Jesse said, "Wow, this prayer things works!"  That's what we wanted all of the youth to understand...God cares about every detail of our lives.  After we settled in at Channahon Baptist Church, we went to the sanctuary and there was a drumset.  I can still see Jesse playing away to his heart's content.  Even though I've lost touch, since those days, I still care about these youth and continue to pray for them. May Jesse's wife, daughter, mother, and grandmother, along with the rest of his family and friends, be comforted and find peace in this unexpected loss. As Christians, we do not have to say good-bye. Until we meet again, Jesse.  In Christ's Love, Vicki Maddox

I only met Jesse once but I was so impressed how you greeted me, your direct eye contact, humor and the evident love I could see when you looked at Lizzy and Molly. God’s plan can be so difficult to comprehend, Lizzy. Please lean on your faith for peace and understanding. Love you sweet girl!

"Jesse" by Donna and Andie Tubbs (Part 2/2)

Do you remember the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em robots
boxing in the ring,
the backwards hats,
the street-hockey matches,
or the thousand times I said, ‘Go fish’?
Do you remember my red leather jacket,
or me attempting the moonwalk?
Do you remember me in the den with my mother,
waltzing in the dark?
Do you remember when
I said, ‘watch this’
as I skated off a homemade ramp
and added a sick twist?
Or how my face looked,
a smile from ear to ear,
as I ran through that giant mud puddle
to score my first soccer goal?
Grandmother insisted I stand by the fire barrel
so I wouldn't catch a cold.

Do you remember
it was I who first carried you on my shoulders?
Repeatedly,
countless babies shouted with glee.
Do you remember 
when I patiently taught you how to put on your socks,
or held your hands to stand?

Do you remember my favorites—
Michael, Jason, Halloween,
and the endless sequels of Scream?
Do you remember the beat of my drums,
the sound of my voice, and the strum of my guitar?
Or the pride on my face
while driving my first car?

First, it was Bramlett and Jenny,
then Megan and me.
Then Emily, Timothy, 
John-Michael, Tia, and Andie.
Then along came Sophie, Baker, Anderson
and finally Baby Anna.
I was no stranger to my extended family.
We were closer than brothers and sisters.
I became a unique part of you,
and you each became a unique part of me.

Remember my joy in finding my other half,
and our love jam-packed into but a few years.
Remember the rapture of my face when holding my baby girl,
the apple of my eye.
I leave knowing my girls will live and grow happily
in a large family just as I.
And my girls will know me,
forever etched 
in your memories.”

"Jesse" by Donna and Andie Tubbs (Part 1/2)

There’s a hole in the floor of Heaven,
and it’s Jesse’s, looking in.
His spirit surrounds us
saying, “Do you remember when
the van got a flat on the highway
on the way to my birth?
What a dramatic start to my life on Earth”.

Jesse, I remember you
as a whirlwind with gusto—
a little superman running ‘round,
making that familiar "grrr" sound—
running, jumping, leaping, 
karate-chopping, never still,
making silly faces—
this, oh this, doesn't seem real.
You were Jose, Tony, Jesse—
the musketeers three—
just like in your favorite movie,
Stand by Me.

I remember you 
stealing grandmother's cookies from the cookie jar
with a wide, secret grin and a flop of your long hair 
on your way out the door.
I remember you cuddling with your cousins—
whispering, giggling, conniving secret plans
on those pallets on the floor.
I remember your hands full with cheese toast
and your evenings always eating something green.
I remember you filling up toy cars
and eating imaginary food,
climbing logs during picnics at Goodman Oaks, or
enjoying hot chocolate and peppermints at the Christmas cove.

I remember you as grandmother's little helper
with a baby on each hip
squatting down to talk to little ones
or helping them blow out their birthday candles.
I remember you licking ice cream
on summer nights at The Dip.
I remember your words of wisdom
and your innate ability to listen.
I remember your long sighs, 
and your nonchalant, soft-spoken replies.

Now, you peer through that hole in the floor of Heaven,
asking, “Do you remember when
I was grandfather's helper at the grill
watching, learning his secret technique?
Do you remember my joy
the day he handed the spatula to me?
Then, when I was full grown
it was him standing by my side watching, 
making sure it was just right.

Jesse was so special to so many people. This one hurts. Prayers for Georgia, Cheryl, Glenn, Liz, Molly and the rest of his family. No one deserves the pain they’re going through. Love y’all so much!

I miss you Jesse! You were special in so many ways and you didn’t need to hear it, which made you even more special! 

It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair. Jesse - I'll always regret us not knowing each better as adults, but I'll always cherish the memories from us being kids. I have a core memory of riding in the back of my dad's station wagon with you one time and us talking about sharing June birthdays. I couldn't have been more than 7. 

You should be here. You should have had more time, you should get to see Molly grow up.  I love you, Jesse. You will be sorely missed. 

We are so grateful for the week in November that they spent with us. 
Jesse was a  man who loved and was loved by so many friends and family. Molly and Lizzy were his world and he was theirs. 
Rest in peace Jesse Cooper until we are all together again. 

I never had the pleasure of knowing Jesse, but I went to school with Lizzy. Seeing how much joy and love he brought to her, then Molly, has been amazing - even inspiring - to witness. That love is so unique and special, and warmed my heart more often than I can say. My heart is floored for Lizzy and Molly, but I definitely know Jesse’s love will never go away. He’ll be their guardian angel forever 💙

From a trip to New York City during the summer of 2005. He had just turned 22. 

Jesse’s bachelor party trip. Many laughs and good times on this trip! 

I miss you, Jesse. I'm so glad to have had such a good friend like you in my life. We have had so many great memories together dating back to 7th and 8th grade. Concerts, skateboarding, parties, me coming to your family gatherings, just chilling and playing video games, etc. It's hard knowing that you're gone, but you'll always live on in our memories and you'll never be forgotten.

Words hardly express the true condolences felt in such a loss.  Keeping Lizzy, baby Molly, Jesse's Mom and extended family and friends in prayer.  Losing a loved one is never easy, but when they're so young and their loss is so unexpected, it's unimaginable. I pray for peace, healing & comfort to all who had the blessing of Jesse in their lives. 💙 

Jesse, oh, how we wish you could come back— it's just not right for you  to be gone!!!We all miss you so, so much!!!                                                                 

Grandmother Cheryl and Grandaddy

Gathering of Family & Friends

Funeral Service

Elizabeth Davis Cooper (Lizzy)

His precious baby girl, Molly Elizabeth Cooper

Georgia Cooper Spragg

Cheryl and Glen Cooper

Jesse also leaves his aunts, Connie Cooper Rasberry and Leslie Cooper Townsend (Ted), cousins Sophie Townsend and Megan Rasberry, and a huge extended family and friends who were like family to him.

OBITUARY

Jesse Daniel Cooper

June 20, 1983 – December 10, 2022

Memphis Funeral Home

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