Christopher Ray Cooper

Christopher Ray Cooper, 19 of Evansville, Indiana, was born on February 2, 2007 to Shareese Cooper. When his grandmother Deborah Spence first laid eyes on him -she looked at him and said, “You didn’t join this, you were born for this!”

Chris was two (2) weeks old when he made his debut in Sis. Lana Burton’s Sunday School class at Zion Missionary Baptist Church. The church family loved to hear him giggle and coo. His big smile brought so much joy, life and laughter to everyone around him. At just 4 years old, Chris begged to join the youth choir. Although you had to be 5 years of age they allowed him to join early, and there was no turning back! This is where he developed a passion for music; singing, leading and directing the church choir. He also took pride in having the ability to play various instruments such as the clarinet, tambourine, and saxophone. Christopher was later baptized by his Pastor Rev. Dr. R.V. Terry Jr. Chris loved his church and you could always find him “cleaner than the board of health” every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday on his post ready to serve.

When Chris became a young adult, he joined Greater Hope Church under the direction of Dr. J.C. Campbell to continue his faith journey. Not only was Chris a believer; he knew the importance of having a relationship with the Lord. Chris felt complied to invite his friends to church always inspiring, encouraging, and uplifting them to give their life to Christ. Chris witnessing to his friends resulted in them giving their life to Christ.

Not only did Chris believe in serving the Lord, but he also believed in serving his community. When he was a junior in high school, he joined the Indiana National Guard. Later he graduated from New Tech Institute High School, in Evansville, IN.

Chris made the correlation early that education is the key to success and hard work pays off. Chris secured his first job at age14 at McDonalds. He was so proud to begin his journey as his own man! Then he got his fun job at Holiday World to later discover he didn’t like the heat. Chris worked at Comcast where he was able to develop a passion for marketing along with his senior internship with Explore Evansville. This exposure inspired him to pursue his education in Business Administration as a Marketing Major at the University of Southern Indiana; while being enrolled in the Military, working at Lowes, and going to school full-time. Chris still found time for the things he loved like taking long car rides, writing in his journal, playing video games, and most importantly he loved his family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his Grandfather Larry D. Cooper Senior and Grandmother, Deborah Spence.

He leaves behind to cherish his loving memories, his mother Shareese Cooper of Evansville, Indiana; his sister, Dominique Johnson and his niece Ny’eese Fisher of Chicago, Illinois; his grandmother Vickie Cooper of Chicago, Illinois; his aunt Kimberly Cooper of Chicago, Illinois; his two uncles Larry D. Cooper Jr. of Chicago, Illinois, and Michael (Valerie) Cooper of Evansville, Indiana; his three cousins Mia Cooper, Anthony, and Isaiah Jones of Chicago, Illinois; his best friends Korbin Johnson, Zethan Colón, Mikayla Bailey, Zane Cummings, and Damon Rainwater and his forever “Battle Buddies” (boot camp comrades).

He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.