Funeral Message:
Mr. Milton Earle Cooper
December 9, 2004 @ 3pm
1. Pre-Service Music:
2. Greeting & Condolences to Family:
We are here today to remember the life and the legacy of Milton Earle Cooper.
Milton Cooper was born on July 23, 1944 here in Greenville County and passed away on Tuesday morning, December 7, 2004 in Orangeburg, SC.
Over the course of his 60 years Milton made a great impact on those who knew him. He began his years the son of a mill worker. Growing up with close friends and family there in the Poe Mill. It was there that he first discovered the truth of Christ at the Poe Baptist Church.
When the time came, Milton joined the US Air Force and defended our great nation during the Vietnam War.
After an honorable discharge, he came home and began working as an electrician. However, Milton soon discovered that his real love and passion was for cars. He later shifted his skills from electrical work to automotive work and even discovered the joy of drag racing.
Milton loved his family, he loved his country, he loved cars and he loved music.
3. Milton was preceded in death by…
1. His Father & Mother: Judge Earle & Hazel Christian Cooper (and)
2. His brother – Maxie Lee Cooper who passed away on July 24th of this year (2004)
He is survived by…
1. His children:
a. Michael Cooper – of Mauldin (and)
b. Heather Cooper – of Greenville
2. Two grandchildren
3. His sister – Margret Derrick
4. His brother – Maurice Cooper
5. And many nieces and nephews
I realize today that many of you are dealing with an array of feelings and so I would like to begin by reading to you a few passages of scripture to both assist and comfort you.
4. Scripture Reading:
Psalm 46:1
AGod is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble…”
(The Lord declares in…) Isaiah 41:10
AFear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.@
Psalm 145:18
AThe Lord is near to all who call upon Him...@
5. Opening Prayer:
(Let us pray.)
AHeavenly Father, we come to today in need of both your comfort and strength. In the midst of these varied emotions I ask you to give your strength and your peace to this group of family and friends. I ask that your presence would be felt and that during this very difficult time that you would enable these men and women who are hurting to turn to you as they search for peace in the midst of their pain. Now be with us we pray. In Jesus= name - Amen.@
6. Special Song – Melinda Cooper (Milton’s niece)
7. Message:
Humor:
I have only known Milton for a few months. I had the privilege of meeting him and discovering his love for his family through the loss of his brother Maxie.
What was revealed during our conversations was his undeniable passion for those closest to him. I have found that it is often during those moments with our family and friends that we lower our guard and display our true heart.
And there are even times when we are with those close to us that we do humorous things. When we are with family – we tend to reveal the innocence and humor of our heart.
I was speaking with the Margrett and Maurice (who I have come to know as Bubber) just yesterday and was told a great story about Milton.
When he was just a boy – he lived with his family in the Poe Mill Village. It was here that he first heard about Christ. His father and mother would carry him (along with the rest of the children) each week to the Poe Baptist Church.
Well, one father’s day weekend the church had a guest evangelist come through and speak. And, Earle Cooper (Milton’s Daddy) was taken by the spirit of the preacher that he invited him home for dinner.
While enjoying dinner and conversation – the evangelist made several references to “Fathers” and how fathers were so important in the homes. It was at this time that Milton in his innocence spoke up and declared – “We don’t have a father in this house.”
You see he had only known his father as Daddy. He didn’t know what a father was!
Psalm 91 reads:
And He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, >He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.= Surely He will save you from the fowler=s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.@
The question that I put before you today is this: Where can we find real security and refuge during the painful moments of life?@ Is there something to under gird our inner most thoughts and feelings during a time of great loss?
Only one fortress exists for such a time as this. In the midst of the painful loss of a father, grand-father, brother and friend, there is only one place where you can find true security and strength - and that is in the AShadow of the Almighty God.@
The apostle Paul asked the question in Romans 8:31 AIf God is for us, who can be against us?@ The fact is - Paul new the answer - ANo one!@ No one can stand against us if God is on our side.
Paul - much like the Psalmist who penned the words I read to you a moment ago was expressing a great confidence and hope in God – and in God alone.
There is no denying the fact that the Psalmist (the one who penned these words that we just read in PS. 91) had observed and experienced many difficult times in his life. Yet his mind was not caught up in these perils, the problems, the heartaches and struggles of his life – but rather in the security and the comfort of the AMost High.@
Refuge and safe haven is not found in the human defenses - but rather in the shelter of God. Security and peace of mind is never accomplished by what we can do for ourselves. It is always found in God.
He and He alone will be our refuge and our fortress and He promises that He will deliver us from all of the things that try to defeat and discourage us.
The Psalmist painted a beautiful word picture of God=s protection as that of a mother bird who would stretch out her wings to cover her young with her feathers. It is an image of warmth and peace.
All of us need to find hope in something that goes way beyond this time and this place. We must have hope.
Hope is the which allows us to carry on in life with confidence and dignity.
In this very sad setting today, here in the midst of grief and loss, we need a vision that will carry us beyond this moment.
And, God has given us this hope in the resurrection of His son Jesus Christ. He taught us through His action of love and sacrifice – that He is a caring God.
He also taught us through the simplest of words that this world is not the final resting place of our souls. For those who choose to follow Christ, He promises an eternity of great joy.
In fact John writes in his gospel that Jesus made this fact very clear. Again, let remind you, Jesus says, AIn my father=s house are many rooms...I am going there to prepare a place for you.@
It is the desire of Jesus that you choose to follow Him with this life so that you may inherit an eternity with him in the life to come.
You can be certain of this - death in this life is not an end in itself! There is a promised eternity that will follow.
We are here today to simply attest to the fact that life is short and it is only a preparation for something more.
We place our hope in this life to come upon the authority of Christ himself. As we consider everything that Jesus had to say about life and death we find that He spoke very little about the dead. At least, He did not go into great lengths to explain the details of life after death. However, He offers a consoling word to those who would inquire.
He said, AGod is not the God of the dead but the God of the living@ in Matthew 22:32.
We are also reminded by the words of Saint Paul that no eye has seen and no ear has heard all of the things that God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
So I say to you - our life on this earth is only a beginning. And because of this, the essence of Jesus= teaching is that we should put our hope and trust in God.
Listen once again to the reassuring words of Psalm 91, AHe who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, >He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.=
We live in a changing world - I know. Nothing remains the same. Our communities change, our children change, our seasons change. We live in a world which is constantly changing.
Change has become a natural part of our life. But there is one thing that will never change. Our peace and comfort which is found in Jesus Christ will forever remain the same!
As we daily progress and move into the future we can be sure that the love, the comfort, the protection of God will never move, it will never diminish – it will never change.
Jesus said, AI am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.@ (John 11:25)
And so, if you put your faith in Christ - even the change from life to death will not separate you from His love and protection.
So, as you try to process and deal with the pain and the emotions of the loss Milton - a father, a brother and a friend – I want to remind you that security and hope, peace and promise, comfort and joy are truly found only in one place - and that is the ASheltering wings of the Most High@.
I want to close now by praying for you. If you have never fully put your trust in Christ…but you recognize you need for his forgiveness and salvation – then this is your day. Along with forgiveness comes hope, peace and strength to face tomorrow.
Would you bow you heads and agree with me?
In your heart, simply echo this prayer to God …and say:
Heavenly father, I have lived too long without you. But no longer! I understand that Jesus died on the cross for my sin. He gave his life out of love for me so that I could live with You forever. I ask you now, would you forgive me of my sin (where I have missed the mark) and come into my life. Give me hope, peace and inspiration. Help me to face tomorrow with joy. And as you do, I will do my best to live for you. Help me to walk the rest of my days on this earth with you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
Now, if you prayed that prayer…you may not feel much different, but the Bible says that Christ now lives in you and your sins have been forgiven. This is your day of hope!
Milton’s niece (Melinda) is coming again to share another song with you. Then I will dismiss with closing prayer.
8. Prayer:
Lord, again we thank you for the promise of peace and strength during difficult times. Continue to under gird this family as they face the days ahead. Bless them I pray, in Jesus name – Amen!
9. Dismissal:
