James W. Cooper

James William Cooper

James William Cooper, 86, died peacefully on March 7, 2026, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence, South Carolina.

A native of Florence, Mr. Cooper—known to family and friends as “Tommy”—dedicated his life to education, faith, and family. He graduated from Wilson High School, Class of 1958, where he served as senior class president and participated in both football and the school band, playing the alto saxophone. Mr. Cooper went on to attend Morehouse College, graduating, cum laude, in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree. While at Morehouse, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in 1960, as a member of the Alpha Rho Chapter, and remained active in the fraternity throughout his life through the Delta Kappa Lambda Graduate Chapter of Florence. Mr. Cooper earned a Master of Education degree from the University of South Carolina in 1974.

He began his teaching career in 1962 in Buckingham County Public Schools in Virginia, where he taught mathematics for six years at Carter G. Woodson High School. It was in Buckingham that he met Evelyn Carter, whom he would later marry. In 1968, he returned to Florence with Evelyn and their son (James Cooper, born in 1964). In 1970, he and Evelyn welcomed a daughter, Angela Maureen Cooper.

Mr. Cooper enjoyed a 38-year career with Florence School District One, where his commitment to students and colleagues left a lasting mark on the community. During that period, he served as a mathematics teacher at Wilson Junior High and Poynor Junior High Schools, later becoming assistant principal at McClenaghan High and South Florence High Schools. He went on to serve as principal of McClenaghan Junior High and Williams Middle Schools and retired, in 2006, as the District’s director of secondary education.

Faith was central to his life. He was a lifelong member of St. Beulah Baptist Church, where he faithfully served his church family for many years. In April 1999, he was ordained as a deacon, continuing his lifelong commitment to service and leadership within the church.

He was predeceased by his parents, James Cooper and Dorothy Douglas Cooper.

Mr. Cooper is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Carter Cooper; his son, James William Cooper (Renata); his daughter, Angela Cooper Foster (Tyrone); his granddaughter, Carter Deane Cooper; and his grandsons, James Kendrick Cooper, Jordan Alexander Foster, and Joshua Lewis Foster, along with many relatives and friends.

Those who knew him remember him as a devoted son, loving father and grandfather, dedicated educator, and loyal friend whose guidance and kindness touched many lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to General Scholarship Fund of Morehouse College.

The family will receive friends at 3810 East National Cemetery Road, Florence.

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