Farrell Cooper
Bernard Farrell Cooper, 76, of Signal Mountain, died on Monday, July 10, 2017, at home, surrounded by his family.
Born in Memphis, Farrell lived most of his life in the Chattanooga area. He was the son of Marion Armon and Bernardine Sheehan Cooper, and brother of Armon, John, Jerome, Stephanie, Richard, and Robert Cooper.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gail Gladney Cooper; children, Kathryn (Jack) Corley, Jeanne (David) Manley, Laura (Steve) Reed, and Chris (Hillary) Cooper; grandchildren, Sarah, Alex, Meg, and Anna Corley, Cooper and Clara Manley, Matthew and Grace Reed, Marley Cooper, Taylor Tate, and Haileigh Gardner; three great-grandchildren, and a very large and loving extended family of Coopers and Gladneys, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
His unwavering commitment to social justice was his chief ambition. He studied at Memphis State University where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He earned a Master of Science degree in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1967. He spent his career as a social worker in a variety of community settings. He served as director of Social Services at Erlanger Medical Center for 14 years, leaving to assume a leadership role at the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults in 1988. He retired from the Partnership as executive director in 2006. He served as regional and state president of the Tennessee Conference on Social Welfare, President of the National Association of Social Workers, and was awarded “Tennessee State Social Worker of the Year” in 1983. He served on many community boards, and participated in multiple civic organizations. He was a long-time member of St. Jude Catholic Church.
Farrell was an avid hiker, amateur botanist, cartophile, actor, self-taught pianist, expert juggler, enthusiastic dancer at weddings, sharer of life lessons, and teacher of habits (both good and bad). Ever the entertainer, he never let the facts get in the way of a good story. His family will remember him most for his utter enjoyment and zest for life.
A mass of celebration will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 13, at St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415. The family will gather with friends on Thursday at from 9:30 am in Siener Hall at the church until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults, or St. Jude Catholic Church.
Arrangements have been entrusted by Lane Funeral Home on Ashland Terrace, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415, www.lanefh.com.