Hampton Clifton Cooper

Hampton Clifton Cooper, 97, of Altavista died Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Autumn Care of Altavista. He was the husband of the late Mary Ann Krantz Cooper for 46 years and the late Emily Walker Cooper for 25 years. H.C. was born June 8, 1926 in Salley, South Carolina, a son of the late Livvie Courtney Cooper and Wade Hampton Cooper. He was the youngest of his siblings. He was a charter member of Christian Life Church, formerly Christian Memorial Church, where he served in many capacities. He retired from BGF Industries with 31 years of service. H.C. was a proud veteran who loved his country and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He loved to fish and enjoyed reading (he knew his bible), working word puzzles and watching old movies. In his younger years he enjoyed gardening, flowers and he was an excellent cook. He is survived by one son, Ronald W. Cooper and his wife, Joan of Altavista and Mitchell "Tommy" Walker and his wife, Myra of Altavista, who he loved like a son; one daughter, Betty C. Gillespie and her husband, Bill of Altavista; a bonus daughter, Susan Crouch of Forest; three grandchildren, W. Douglas Gillespie and his wife, Allison, B. Scott Gillespie and his wife, Jamie and Michael W. Cooper as well as the grandchildren of his beloved, Emily; five great grandchildren, Alanna G. Neal and her husband, Carrington, Raegan Gillespie, Scottie Gillespie, Bryan Gillespie, Zackary Cooper and Kentley Glass; one great great grandchild, Ayvah Gillespie, who also has a brother on the way; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by three brothers Clifton, Ammons and Anderson Cooper; four sisters, Nolie Stevenson, Emma Curtis, Lela McCullum and Nellie Cooper; and one bonus daughter, Carolyn Evans. Nellie raised H.C. when their mom died when he was 6 months old and his father passed when he was 6 years old. His nieces and nephews were like brothers and sisters to him. The family would like to thank the staff of Autumn Care and to his angels on earth, Brenda, Michelle, Cassie and Alice. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Christian Life Church by the Rev. Michael Turner and Rev. Dennis Nichols with interment to follow in Green Hill Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Altavista Memorial Post 36 and Gretna Post 232. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m., Monday at Finch & Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista and other times at the residence of Betty Gillespie, 155 Quail Ridge Drive, Altavista, VA 24517. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider Christian Life Church, P.O. Box 218, Altavista, VA 24517.

Hampton Clifton Cooper

June 8, 1926 - October 14, 2023