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Phillip Henry Cooper
Young Funeral Home
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The Rev. Phillip Henry Cooper died Oct. 20. The son of the late Addie Cooper, he was born in 1921 in Opelika, Ala. He graduated from Industrial High School, Birmingham, Ala., and served in the U.S. Army. He was the first black to be enrolled in the Julliard School of Music, New York. He continued his formal education at Columbia University, receiving a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts. He received a Master of Education from Florida Agricultural Mechanical University, Miami. The Rev. Cooper taught music for over 58 years, retiring in 1999. He was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Miami, and later became an ordained minister. The Rev. Cooper was a gifted and talented musician, playing the piano and trumpet. He also composed. The Rev. Cooper enjoyed fishing, traveling and, most of all, bowling. Until recently, he was a member of the Ten in the Pit bowling league. The Rev. Cooper was fun-loving, kind and generous. He will be missed.

Surviving are wife Azolina Linda Cooper. Step-children Christopher (Sandra) John Sr., Ronney (Cindy) John Sr., Glenwood John and Tekersha, Jacqueline (Tyrone) Burton; grandchildren Christopher Jr., Krystal, Kayla, Jonathan, Ronney Jr., Jada, Kianna, Ju-maine, Na-sim; sisters-in-law Marva Shaw, Margaret Provedence, Annette Provedence,; brothers-in-law Winston John, Hugh Provedence, Cardonel Provedence; special friends Elenora Crowley, Bernard Turner, Adetola Olobatuyi, Jackie Ross, Sarah Ross; special former students George Lane, Charles Floyd; other loving relatives and dear friends.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Oct. 26 in the chapel of Young Funeral Home with Minister Leroy Chen officiating and assisted by Minister Sarah Thompson and Chaplain Patricia Hill.