Eddie was the second child born on May 18, 1945 to the late Eddie Lee Cooper, Sr. and Emma Cooper in Miami, Florida. He grew up in a loving household with his brother and four sisters. At a young age, Eddie became a member of the Mount Tabor Baptist Church. Soon after, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. As a teenager, he attended Miami Northwestern High school where he was a member of the Mathematics National Honor Society and the Miami Northwestern marching band. He would go on to master the French Horn which ultimately lead to him being chosen as a section leader.
As a result of his high academic achievements throughout his high school years, Eddie received a scholarship to Mississippi Valley State University. During his time at MVSU, he met his lovely bride, Bernice James. Eddie graduated from MVSU with a B.S. degree in Science. Years later, he furthered his education by receiving his Master’s Degree in Education from LSU-Baton Rouge. Eddie would eventually go on to study additional courses at Northwestern State University, LA Tech, Grambling State University, LSUS and Florida International University.
Eddie was recognized as a high achiever as an educator, and served the Caddo Parish School Board for 36 years. He was a champion for children and youth education. His teaching career began at Lakeshore Middle School. From there, he would continue his career at Hamilton Terrace and Bethune. When the new campus of Turner Elementary opened in 1984, he was asked to serve as the Assistant Principal of Administration. In 1989, he transferred to Fair Park High School, and in 1999, Eddie Cooper became Principal of Fair Park High School. He continued to serve as principal until his retirement in 2005.
In addition to his years of serving as an educator, Eddie also volunteered with several organizations local organizations. He was a member of the Norwella Council for the Boy Scouts of America where he was awarded the Whitney Young Service Award for outstanding service in Scouting. He was a proud 50-year member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Rho Omega Chapter in Shreveport, LA. He served on the Metropolitan Planning Commission Zoning Board for over 5 years and served as the chair 2008-2009. He was a licensed real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Eddie was a member of the Morning Start Baptist Church for over 40 years. He would go on honorably serve as a deacon under the leadership of Pastor Murphy L. Hunt and Pastor Theron J. Jackson.
Cherishing Eddie’s memory, his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Bernice Cooper, two sons, Mark Cooper Sr. (Alice) Bossier City, LA; Eddie Cooper III, Houston, TX; one daughter, Tracey Graham (Tim) Shreveport, LA; seven grandchildren, Mark Cooper Jr, Phillip Cooper, Kyle Graham, Kennedy Cooper, Kaitlyn Cooper, Jackson Graham and McKenzie Cursey; one brother, Clement Cooper, four sisters, Barbara Bullard, Sandra Hummings; Debra Robinson, and Sheila Thomas (Steve) all of Miami, FL a supporting brother-in-law Melvin James, Shreveport, LA; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Eddie Lee Cooper, Jr., 76, of Shreveport, LA., passed away on Thursday, February 10, 2022.
