Keith Arland Cooper, age 63 of Forest City went home to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Keith was born on January 1, 1962, in Vance County, North Carolina and he was a son of the late John Harrill Cooper and Catherine McGinnis Cooper.

He was a devoted member of Liberty Baptist Church. There he served as a Deacon, a member of the choir and he taught the College and Careers Sunday School class for 25 years. Keith loved his church and his church family. He spent his life telling others about Jesus and showing God’s love to each person he met.

He was a graduate of East Rutherford High School in the class of 1980. He was also a partner and one of the founders of Alliance Insurance Group which recently celebrated 25 years in Forest City. He loved his job and believed it was a mission field to tell others about Jesus.

Keith loved deeply. He made the most of every minute he was blessed with. Each person who met him is better because they knew Keith Cooper. But, he would say that’s all because of his Savior who changed his life on December 6, 1970. He will be greatly missed but his legacy lives on through each heart he touched in his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Mark Cooper and a niece, Lindsay Cooper.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 39 years, Melissa Strickland Cooper, his sons, Kyle Arland Cooper of Forest City, Kent Alexander Cooper of Raleigh, his daughter, Kandace Cooper Critcher and husband Braxton of Asheville, his brother Scott Cooper and Josh of Statesville, his sister, Pam Cooper Wilkins and Ted of Gibsonville and a sister-in-law, Lisa Cooper of Rutherfordton.

The funeral service will be held at One o’clock Saturday, July 26,2025 at Liberty Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Mack Tester and Reverend Owen Duncan officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:30 until 12:45 prior to the service in the Church Gym. 

Memorials may be made to Liberty Baptist Church, building fund, 821 Webb Road, Ellenboro, North Carolina 28040.

Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”