Dr. Clarence James Cooper, Jr., 74, of Brandon, passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023 at his residence.  He was born May 14, 1949 in Spartanburg, SC.  Dr. Cooper earned his undergraduate degree from Clarke College and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary.  He also engaged in further studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  Dr. Cooper spent over 50 years as a Southern Baptist Minister having served at Keownville Baptist Church in New Albany, Mary's Chapel Baptist Church in Ripley, TN, New Liberty Baptist Church in Vardaman, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Grenada and at Brandon Baptist Church in Brandon where he has served the last 14 years.  In addition to his service to the churches he pastored, he also served in many capacities in the Mississippi Baptist Convention.  Dr. Cooper served as President of the Mississippi Baptist Convention from 2005-2007 and also served in various positions on the Convention Board, including president in 2004 and 2010.  Additionally, he also served as a trustee from 2004-2012 on the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee and many other committee appointments.  Dr. Cooper grew up participating in a variety of sports. He later enjoyed supporting local high school athletics and cheering on his favorite college teams, the Ole Miss Rebels and Duke Blue Devils.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at Brandon Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until service time Tuesday at Brandon Baptist Church.  The committal service will take place at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Grenada.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Darlene Cooper; daughter, Amy Cooper Harbison and her husband, David of Madison, AL; son, Clarence Cooper, III and his wife, Karen Mullis of Bartlett, TN; brother, Charlie Cooper of Greer, SC; grandson, Cooper Harbison of Oxford and granddaughter, Allie Harbison of Birmingham AL.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Clarence Cooper, Sr.; mother, Clara Cooper Willard; brother-in-law, James Byford and a great-nephew, Cody Byford.

Pallbearers in Brandon will be Noel Daniels, William Haas, Freddy Harrell, Billy Henderson, Bryan Marshall and Richard Walley.  Pallbearers in Grenada will be Coley Bailey, Dr. David Daigneault, Johnny Shell, Robby Staten, Larry Williams and Rev. Barry Worrell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Brandon Baptist Church Building Fund for the new sanctuary or to the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada, (662-307-2694).