Besse Cooper (11-4-12)

MONROE - Besse Brown Cooper, 116, died Sunday, November 4, 2012.

She was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., on August 26, 1896, the daughter of the late Angie Berry and Richard E. Brown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luther Cooper.

Mrs. Cooper, until her death, was recorded by Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest living person. She was the great-aunt of Jefferson residents Mr. and Mrs. Danny Cooper.

Survivors include daughters and son-in-law, Angie Tharp, Ellenwood, and Nancy and Louis Morgan, Lucedale, Miss.; sons and daughters-in-law, L.H. and Betty Cooper, Hollywood, Fla., and Sidney and Edith Cooper, Monroe; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services were held Saturday, December 8, at the Monroe First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Loretta Stone and Dane Wagner officiating. Burial was at the New Hope Methodist Church cemetery.

Meadows Funeral Home, Monroe, was in charge of arrangements.

Sign the guestbook online at www.meadowsfuneralhomeinc.com.