Myra Joyce (Seawell) Cooper

Myra Joyce Seawell Cooper, of Laurinburg, passed away on March 11, 2024, at Morrison Manor.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Thursday, March 14, 2024 at Central Church in East Laurinburg with Rev. Bobby Dean and Rev. Janet Buffaloe officiating.  Burial will follow at Hillside Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Myra was born on June 23, 1933, in Wadesboro, to the late Ernest Newton and Pauline Grace Cox Seawell.  She married Franklin Delano Cooper in 1951 at the age of 18 and gave birth to her five children from 1953 – 1960.  In 1962 Myra went to work to help support her big family.  She was able to go to work because Ola Belle McLaurin kept the house and took care of the children.  Myra started her work career at the Laurinburg Surgical Clinic.  She moved from there to the State Bank as a Teller.  Myra worked for the State Bank (which became Wachovia Bank), retiring after 25 years as Dealer Credit Manager.  At the age of 52, Myra took a new job as an office assistant in the guidance office at Scotland High School.  She worked in that role for the next 10 years and was a well respected and loved staff member.  After retirement from her fulltime position at the high school, Myra worked part-time as a substitute teacher until her early 80’s.

Myra faithfully and lovingly served as a leader at Central Church (formerly Central United Methodist Church).  She was an active member of Central Methodist Women and also served as President.  Myra was an assistant Sunday School Teacher and Lay Leader for many years.  Myra was a member of the choir, Happy Methodist, Angels of Mercy, Church Council and Intercessory Prayer Group.  Myra was a member of the Emmaus Community after taking the Emmaus Walk along with husband, Frank, in the early 90’s.  Myra was also on the Board of Directors of Partners in Ministry and was an enthusiastic volunteer and supporter for the organization until her passing.

She is survived by her children: Franklin Delano "Del" Cooper, Jr. (Sandra), of Pembroke, Grace Anne Cooper (Leslie E. Bernstein) of Stoughton, WI,  Charles Gary Cooper and Jeffery Gene Cooper (Denise), of Laurinburg; grandchildren, Danielle Wilkins, Chad Cooper, Jamie Cooper,  Elijah Z. Bernstein-Cooper, Kalyn Cooper Sandoval, Maggie Smith, Jerry Smith, and Jeffery Cooper, Jr; great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Chavis, Kasey Hardin, Stella Hardin, Bryce Hardin, CJ Cooper, Janna Cooper, Jamie Cooper, Avonnie Sandoval, Heaven Jones, Kobe Smith, Kalli Smith, Cameron Cooper, Natalie Webster, Brent Cooper and Cross Cooper; and great-great grandchild, Lakelyn Harris.  Myra was predeceased by her husband, Franklin Delano Cooper, and by her daughter, Catherine Cooper Allen.

Memorials may be made to Central Church, PO Box 397, Laurinburg, NC 28353 or Partners in Ministry, 12 3rd Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352.

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the family.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Myra Joyce (Seawell) Cooper, please visit our Tree Store.