Elmer Ray Cooper

Mr. Elmer Ray Cooper, 86, passed away April 26, 2009 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was born in Forsyth County to the late Luther and Lillie Murphy Cooper. Mr. Cooper was a member of Westside Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp., and was a World War II Veteran. He owned and operated the Esso service station on Country Club Road, as well as the Exxon service station on Broad Street for a total of 35 years. He was a member of Legends of NASCAR. Other than his love for Christ, he loved spending time with family and friends. Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Ray Cooper; his wives, Helen Skurska Cooper and Martha Cooper; his two brothers, James and Paul Cooper; his sisters, Bertha Howell and Ethel Cooper. He is survived by his loving wife, Nellie Cooper; a son, Gary Cooper and wife Paige; a son, Chris Nail and wife, Cathy; a daughter-in-law, Robin Cooper; daughter, Cheryl Blackmon; grandchildren, Paul and Ginger Cooper and Heath and Maria Nail; great-grandchildren, Devin Slate and Gillian Cooper, and John, Rachel, and Anna Blackmon; a sister-in-law, Mabel Cooper; his extended family in New York, Loretta and Bob Nunziata (Robert, Debbie, Michael, Laura, and Lisa), Joyce and Bobby Ward (Denise and Kathleen); Dorothy Ritchotte of Connecticut; and several great nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with the Rev. Robert Dixon officiating. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park in Rural Hall. The family will receive friends from 7:00pm until 9:00pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials:
Westside Baptist Church Building Fund, 595 South Peacehaven Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

Cemetery:
Crestview Memorial Park

Visitation:
07:00pm - 09:00pm on April 28, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel

Service:
Service at 11:00am on April 29, 2009 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel