Missionary Arnita "Neet" (Lanier) Cooper

"...You are there when I am lonely, You are there when I need a friend
I take comfort in Your word, When I get weary and I know you'll be there to the end

… When it's all said and done and my race has been run
That's when your face will be the first face I want to see

… You were there when I had no one to talk to
All of my friends get just a little too busy for me
I don't care about the things I suffer down here on this earth
It really don't bother me

… Because soon, I'll be forever in His presence
I know you'll be there just waiting for me
Your face will be the first face I want to see..."

During the late night hours of Sunday, April 30, 2023 surrounded by her loving and devoted family and caretakers our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, friend and church member Missionary Arnita Lanier Cooper traded in her very own crafted and constructed earthly garments, to receive her crown and robe and to be reunited with the love of her life the late Minister John S. Cooper, Sr., where they are now walking hand in hand down the streets that are paved in gold.

"Neet" as she was affectionately called entered this world on Wednesday, June 3, 1936, to the late James Dawson Lanier and Annie Louise Chance Smith Lanier.  She was the youngest of nine siblings, which all preceded her in death.

Arnita was an extremely talented seamstress.  She served as the Sewing Instructor at Martin Community College in Williamston, NC as well as coordinated a sewing class at the church. In addition to sewing, she found great joy in upholstering furniture. 

Mother was also preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandson, Donald W. Reid, Jr. and one great-granddaughter, Averi L. Cooper. 

The progeny of Mother Cooper has unanimously decided to Celebrate her life starting on Saturday, May 6, 2023 during the hours of five to seven o'clock in the Bethel of Toodles Funeral Home located at 216 Washington Street, Plymouth, NC. On Sunday, May 7 at the two o'clock hour the Celebration of Life for Mother will take place in the Vestry of Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, 200 Rankin Lane, Plymouth NC 27962. "Neet" final earthly bed of rest will be in the Lanier-Cooper Family Polyandrium. 

Mother Cooper leaves to cherish her memories four children:  Frederica C. Morton of Decatur, Ga., John S. Cooper, Jr. (Debbie) of Plymouth, NC, Felicia Cooper-Reid (Donald, Sr.) of Elizabeth City, NC and James D. Cooper (Kizzy) of Winston Salem, NC, seven grandchildren:  Elisa D. L. Reid, Kendrick L. Cooper, John S. Cooper III (Angela), Ebony J. Reid, Jaelon D. Cooper, Jayden D. Cooper and Miracle J. Cooper, two great-grandchildren:  Ariel N. Cooper and Dallas Lanier Reid, two sisters-in-law; Geneva Smith and Mary Cooper both of Plymouth, NC, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

The Cooper Family entrusted the team of Dennis J. Stallings Memorial Funeral Home of Gatesville, NC to serve them during their time of bereavement. DJSMFH professional team will assist the Cooper Family during their hours of bereavement and beyond through unprecedented, sincere, heartfelt, compassionate and detailed personalized services catered to the Cooper Family wishes and desires. Please continue to uplift the family of Mother Missionary Arnita Lanier Cooper and all connected families through words of comfort, telephone calls/text messages, prayers, "virtual" hugs, thoughts or even just a smile.

" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (II Timothy 4:7-8)

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