Russell Dempsey Cooper

Russell Dempsey Cooper born January 24, 1923, age 102, went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 20, 2025. He is preceded in death by his one true love, Margaret Anderson Cooper, who passed away in early 2020. This amazing couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2019, and they are now joyfully reunited in Heaven for eternity.

Russell—our “Papa”—will be deeply missed at every family gathering. He was a quintessential family man, deeply devoted to his wife, Margaret—our “Nanny”— and his son and daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his entire extended family, particularly the Oswald, Anderson, and Pardue families who have always been precious to Russell and to Margaret throughout their lives.

His bright smile, sharp wit, and endless stories (especially from his youth in Harrisburg) brought laughter and joy to us all. Loving, energetic, funny, sharp, and deeply content with life. He will live in our hearts forever. We are grateful beyond words for the 102 wonderful years he had on this earth!

He was a proud native Augustan and retiree of the City of Augusta, GA, and a member of Crawford Avenue Baptist Church for more than 60 years. In his youth he worked for the Augusta Arsenal and was an excellent baseball player, even scouted by the majors in his early 20s. As a young father, he loved coaching his son’s little league teams. He picked up the game of golf at the age of 40, and quickly became an accomplished golfer. Russell will always be remembered for his many (MANY!) days spent at the “Cabbage Patch,” golfing with his cherished companions. Fun fact: he scored a hole-in-one at the age of 91 and was mentioned on the Golf Channel for this accomplishment! Feel free to honor Russell’s love of golf by wearing golf attire to his service.

Russell is survived by his beloved son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Patsy Cooper; his three granddaughters and their husbands, Tara and Shishir Chokshi, Amy and Nate Baker, and Dana and Greg Brady; and six great-grandchildren: Zoe, Meera, Cooper, Abbigail, Priyanka, and Layla Grace. Also Jessie Breazeale, a dear cousin who was like a daughter, and her family: Scott and Gabrielle Steves and their son Jordan (Michelle and their daughters), and Ronnie and Becky Breazeale and their son Rhys.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Birdie and John Cooper; his many siblings, Hammond, Hardrick, George, Jerrald, Ruby, Johnnie, Mary, and Marion; and many other beloved family members who have gone on before him.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Carol Henschel and Mary and Jerry Kirkland for their care and constant presence during Russell’s final days. Special thanks also to Jessie Breazeale, Jesse and Carolyn Powell, Bobby Oswald, Bonnie Bradley, Bertha Thomas, Theron Thurmond, Ronnie Thompson and others who visited recently, offering kindness and many meals. The family also thanks Papa’s hospice nurses—Josephine, Lindsey, Mary, Denny, and Christa—for their gentle care.

Pallbearers will be his great-grandson Cooper Brady; grandsons-in-law Shishir Chokshi, Nate Baker, and Greg Brady; Scott Steves; Ronnie Breazeale; and Jerry Kirkland. Honorary pallbearers will include Byron Oswald, Bobby Oswald, Randy Anderson, Phillip Anderson, Jim Pardue, Jordan Steves, Ray Cooper, George Eskola, and Theron Thurmond.

The family will receive loved ones at Platt's Funeral Home on Crawford Avenue in Augusta, GA on Tuesday, June 24, from 9:30–11:30 a.m. A Celebration of Life service will follow, officiated by Reverend Bert Daniel and nephew Randy Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Crawford Avenue Baptist Church or the American Heart Association, in memory of our beloved Papa, Russell Dempsey Cooper.