With deepest sorrow we at Henryhand Funeral Home regret to announce the passing of Elroy Cooper, 61, of Siler City, NC, an Army Veteran, who passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026.

All arrangements and professional services have been entrusted to Henryhand Funeral Home of Kingstree, SC. 843-354-2292.

"Ready Then, Ready Now"

Elroy Cooper, known to many as "Roy" and a proud Army veteran, departed this earthly life on  Monday, February 2, 2026, at Thomas Memorial Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia.

He was born in Alcolu, Clarendon County, South Carolina on May 14, 1964, to Hattie C. Abraham Cooper and the late George W. Cooper, Sr. He completed his formal education in Clarendon County public schools and graduated with honors from the Class of 1984 at Manning High School. After high school, he earned a scholarship to attend Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina.

As a student at Benedict College, he joined the ROTC and trained the drill team. He consistently excelled academically, and Benedict's President, Dr. Grigsby, honored him with an outstanding cadet award. He also pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and took pride in his membership.  He graduated from Benedict College in 1988 at the top of his class with a degree in political  science.

After graduating from college, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of Captain. He participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation  Desert Storm in the Gulf War. He attended the Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia and completed Guerrilla Warfare training. He received recognition as one of the top 35 officers  in the United States. He was stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama and Camp Carroll in  South Korea. Later, he taught as an Army ROTC instructor at West Virginia State University.

Roy was always a leader and role model. Many who knew him would say he was like Superman. He had a wealth of knowledge and everyone sought him out to learn from him. He enjoyed playing basketball with his brothers and neighborhood friends. He liked reading and expanding  his knowledge. He admired his great-uncle, Lucious B. Cooper, a Sergeant in the Army's 48th U.S. Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American War. He often spoke about making his  father proud. He noted he never saw his father disrespect his mother. He adored his mother, describing her as strong and valiant. He lived by his motto: "Ready Then, Ready Now."

He was preceded in death by: two brothers, George W. Cooper, Jr., and James A. Cooper, and one  sister, Hattie A. Cooper Hickman.

He leaves to cherish his memories: four sisters, Mary Samuels of Manning, SC, Daisy Slater and Eva Cooper both of Alcolu, SC, and Patricia Cooper of Sumter, SC; five brothers, Johnny Cooper, Robert Cooper, and Windell Cooper all of Alcolu, SC, Jonathan Cooper and Roy Miller both of Sumter, SC; a dear friend, Alice Alexander of Siler City, NC; along with a host of nieces and  nephews whom he loved unconditionally and numerous family and friends.