Mr. Rickie Carroll Cooper, age 69, Chuckey, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023, at his residence.

Rickie was born to the late Lee & Cara Lea “Cotton” Sliger Cooper on May 20th, 1954.

He was an honorary member of New Victory Baptist Church. He was a resident of East Tennessee Homes.

Those left to cherish his memory are sister, Helen Dickeson and husband Joe; brother, Randy Cooper and wife Tammy; nephews, Jerry Cooper and wife Jennifer, and Andy Dickeson and wife Melody; nieces, Amy Stevens and husband Mark and Jamie Swift and husband Dennis; great nephews and nieces, Cody Dickeson, Connor Dickeson, Ethan Swift, Emily Swift and Callie Cooper; Uncle Ralph Cooper and wife Carolyn; Aunts Lora Garvin and Pat Sliger; and several cousins.

“Heaven’s Very Special Child”
A meeting was held quite far from Earth.
“It’s time again for another birth”
Said the Angels to the Lord above,
“This special child will need much Love.”
His progress may seem very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show
And he’ll require extra care
From folks he meets way down there.
He may not run or laugh or play
His thoughts may seem quite far away:
In many ways he isn’t adapt
And he’ll be known as handicap.
So let’s be careful where he’s sent
We want his life to be content.
Please, Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you,
They will not realize right away
The leading role they’re asked to play.
But with this child sent from above
Come a stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they’ll know the privilege given
In caring for the gift from heaven.
Their precious charge,
So meek and mild
Is Heaven’s very Special Child.
By Edna Massimilla

Rickie, we know you are Running around heaven and Talking to everyone.

A very special thank you to the employees of East Tennessee Homes for taking extraordinary care of Rickie. The family could not have asked for better care than what you gave.

Friends may come by Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home from 12:00-4:00 pm Tuesday, November 7, 2023, to view and sign the register.

Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Pastor Tommy Clark officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:00 am Wednesday prior to the service. Graveside services will follow at New Victory Baptist Cemetery.