Lenward Waylon “Red” Cooper, Sr.
Lenward Waylon “Red” Cooper, Sr., 82, of Silsbee, died Sunday, December 3, 2023. He was born on April 5, 1941, in Clay, Louisiana, to Woodrow Wilson and Hazel Crowell Cooper. He was the third of three sons, Huel Cooper, Douglas Cooper and Red.
He was raised in Chatham, Louisiana, where he excelled in baseball and basketball. He would spend a lot of time with the local law enforcement officer, Merf Tolar. After graduation from Chatham High School, he joined the United States Army.
After his honorable discharge, he married Patricia Jewel Jacobs. To that union were born four children, Lenward, Jr. “Nubbin”, Steve, Gaylynn, and Jason. Red and his family were long time residents of Silsbee, where all four of his children graduated.
Mr. Cooper was a United States Army veteran and retired from Southwestern Bell Telephone Company after twenty-seven years of service in February 1993, before going to work for Hardin County. Red served the citizens of Hardin County with honor and great pride for twenty-six years, one month, and sixteen days, serving as Bailiff for the 356th Judicial District Court under The Honorable Britt Plunk and The Honorable Steven Thomas from December 15, 1992, until January 31, 2019. He concurrently served as the elected Constable for JP Precinct 1 from January 1, 1993, until December 31, 2016.
Red was a longtime member of the First Pentecostal Church of Silsbee, where he served many years as church secretary and led the services for over forty years.
Survivors include his children, Nubbin Cooper and his wife, Shelly; Steve Cooper; Gaylynn Gibson and her husband, Stanley; Jason Cooper and his wife, Marie; and Erica Singletary and her husband, Joe; grandchildren, Brandon McKinney and his wife, Candice; Dustin Gibson and his wife, Jessica; Jamie Gibson and his wife, Ashley; Anthony Cooper; Somer Cooper; Heidi Gibson; Carli Sumner and her husband, Aaron; Whitney Heinicke and her husband, Leon; Wesley Cooper and his wife, Nina; Marli Ferguson; and Mikayla Ferguson; great-grandchildren, August Gibson, Syrus Gibson, Tinsleigh Cooper, Hayden Cooper, Landen Gibson, Reid Gibson, Lexi Gibson, Landen Soileau, Sophie Soileau, Trace Garrett, Trent Garrett, Jax Thorton, Zachary McKinney, Karson McKinney, Ariana Singletary, Cooper Singletary, Adley Singletary, Hank Sumner, Hazel Sumner, and many more people that called him Pawpaw; First Pentecostal Church of Silsbee Church Family; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other friends and extended family.
Red is preceded in death by seven weeks, his wife of sixty years, Patricia Jewel Cooper. He is also preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Woodrow Wilson and Hazel Crowell Cooper and brothers, Huel Cooper and his wife, Edna and Reverend Douglas Cooper and his wife, Pat.
A gathering of Mr. Cooper’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., with his funeral service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 7, 2023, at First Pentecostal Church, 1420 North 5th Street, Silsbee, under the direction of Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. His interment will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 8, 2023, at Hardin Memorial Park, 418 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
First Pentecostal Church-Silsbee
- 1420, North 5th Street, Silsbee, Texas, 77656,
- December 7, 2023
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Funeral Service
First Pentecostal Church-Silsbee
- 1420, North 5th Street, Silsbee, Texas, 77656,
- December 7, 2023
- 7:00 pm
Interment
Hardin Memorial Park
- 418, Cemetery Rd, Silsbee, TX, 77656,
- December 8, 2023
- 10:00 am
Steve and family: so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
I met Red back in Jan, 1977, when SWBT transferred me from Repair Forman in Huntsville to be the first Chief Deskman at the new Silsbee Test & Assignment Center. Red was an outside repairman and was highly respected in the Silsbee community. Several years later, I was a network planning engineer in the Dallas Area. On day, was visiting home folks in Hardin County and stopped by the courthouse in Kountze where I ran into Red who was wearing a badge. He updated me on his law enforcement carrier. I told then Dist Judge Earl Stover, that if Red was as efficient at law enforcement he was at SWBT, there would be no problem with order in the Court. He was well respected around the courthouse like he was around his telephone truck. I trust we’ll meet again in “The Sweet Bye and Bye. Peace to the Cooper Family and to all who miss Red.
Prayers for all of the Cooper family. We are blessed to have know him for the last 10 years. He was an inspiration to all at the courthouse. Love and hugs for all.
I first met Red in Orange when working for South Western Bell. Been friends for 55 years. I will miss his wit and humor. Red was a good friend and will never be forgotten. Rest in Heavenly Peace.
Steve I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers
To The Cooper Family, We are sending our thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs and love each and everyone
Mr. Red Cooper was one that I could truly call my friend. He always treated me and my children like family. He never saw color. He always said that we were brothers and sisters in Christ and that color didn’t matter. I’ll forever remember him for saying that. It was heartfelt.
Mr. Red Cooper was one that I could truly call my friend. He always treated me and my children like family. He never saw color. He always said that we were brothers and sisters in Christ and that color didn’t matter. I’ll forever him for him for saying that.
So sorry to hear about the passing of Brother Cooper. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. I remember the many fun times and memories fondly. With love, Emily.
He was a very dear friend to my husband, Joe, and I. We loved him dearly. Rest in peace, Red.
Rest in Peace Red.
RIP Brother. I had the pleasure of meeting Red many years ago, when we both worked “Off Duty” at Lamar University. Always such a kind man, and was always good to me. Thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends.
So sorry to hear about Red he was a good man and will be missed by everyone. Prayers to all of your family.
Sorry to hear of Red’s passing. He was such a sweet person. Both of my parents loved him dearly. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
The family of Charlie and Pat Laird
So very sorry for your loss. Sending my sincere condolences & praying for all the family.
Praying God’s comfort for the family.
So sorry to hear this Jason. Prayers for you and your family🫂🫂❤️ My dad passed 6 weeks after my mom. Will continue to lift you up in prayer