Ellen Darsey Cooper, age 83, of Cochran, Georgia, died Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Bryant Nursing and Rehab.
A lifelong resident of Bleckley County, Ellen was the daughter of the late Bennie and Johnnie Chance Darsey. She was preceded in death by her brother, Sonny Darsey, and her sister, Sue Darsey Kimberly.
Ellen was a devoted homemaker who took great joy in caring for her family. She sewed countless dresses and outfits for her loved ones and was known for her delicious homemade scratch buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, fruitcake cookies, lady fingers, and ambrosia at Christmas. Her exceptional cakes for birthdays and family gatherings, along with her rutabagas and fried chicken tenders, were always eagerly requested at extended family meals. Later in life, she discovered a talent for floral design, working part-time at her niece’s shop, Karen’s Florist, then at McVay’s Florist, before opening Ellen’s Florist and Gift Shop in 1993. For fifteen years she created beautiful arrangements until closing the business in 2008. A longtime member of Southside Baptist Church, she faithfully helped in the nursery and attended the Willing Workers Sunday School Class.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Donald A. Cooper; daughters Donna (Ricky) Smith and Rosa Roberts; sons Allen Cooper and Mark Cooper; grandchildren Aubrey Smith, Corey (Maura) Smith, and Eric Dye; sisters Joan Bowman and Dianne (Wade) Rogers; brothers Bo (Gayle) Darsey and Keith (Carlene) Darsey; and several nieces and nephews. Her children, grandchildren, and entire family will always cherish the memory of their sweet mama.
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