Ralph Wilson Cooper Phd

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ralph Wilson Cooper, Ph.D., who left this world peacefully on August 31, 2024, at Doctor's hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Visitation will be held September 13 at Ray Funeral Home in Cleveland, Mississippi, from 1-2 p.m., with a graveside service following at the Cleveland Cemetery. 

Born on March 1, 1935, Ralph faced a courageous battle with cancer and recent complications with grace and dignity. His legacy will live on through all who knew him, as he touched countless lives with his kindness, strength, and unwavering love for family and music.

Ralph' s educational journey began at Cleveland High School where he graduated in May 1953. He enlisted and served honorably in the United States Army in Honolulu, Hawaii, serving as a chaplain's assistant for three years. After his service he graduated from Delta State University in 1961 with Bachelor of Music degree, followed by a Master of Music degree from the University of Mississippi in 1966. He received his Doctor of Philosophy Musical Arts from Columbia Pacific University in1980. He further pursued his passion for music with two years of study at the University of Vienna in Vienna, Austria. He also studied at the University of Miami before moving to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Sherwood Music School, Roosevelt University, and Chicago College of Music. He also studied privately under the tutelage of Madame Cecile de Horvath—acclaimed by European and American critics as one of the foremost women pianists of this generation. Ralph had a distinguished career as an educator and professor at Brewton Parker College from 1965 to 2000 in Mt. Vernon, Georgia, before moving to Beaufort, South Carolina, to assume the position of director of music at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort, where he was honored for his contributions to the community arts program which brought many renowned artists to the area. Ralph also played weekend services for the many religious denominations at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, before retiring in Mt. Vernon, Georgia. He was a member and served as the organist and pianist for Sacred Heart Catholic Church and College Hill Baptist Church until his death. 

Ralph is preceded in death by his father Claude Worthington Cooper and stepmother, Tresse; his mother, Mattie Mae Finley Cooper; and brother, Claude Finley Cooper. He is survived by sisters, Mary Frances Mullen (Lloyd); Slylvia Wilson; Beverly Warren (Andy); and Nancy Moseley (Lanny); nieces Melanie Ward (Locke), Susan Shemper (Jacob), Emmye Griffin, Alison Bradshaw (Jeremy), Jane Snyder (Nathan), Taylor Wilson (Peggy), Hannah Bansil (Amit), Cooper Warren (Molly), Asher Warren (Rachel), Kit Warren (Mollie); and numerous great nieces and nephews. 

Ralph will be remembered for his kindness, strength, and his love for music. Our hearts are heavy with his loss, but we take comfort in knowing he is at peace. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 3119 N. St. E., Vidalia, Georgia, 30474.