Alton Truvy "Jiggs" Cooper

Alton Truvy (Jiggs) Cooper, age 103, of West Monroe, LA, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Guest House in West Monroe, LA.  

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Hilda Bond Cooper; his parents, Gardner and Lucille Foret Cooper; and his siblings, Myrtle Cooper Brown, Joseph Cooper, Belton Cooper, Ronnie Cooper, and his twin sister Agnes Cooper Graff Danna.

Mr. Cooper is survived by his children, Linda Cooper Welch (L.M.), Gloria Cooper Montgomery (Russell), and Daryl Gardner Cooper (Gwendolyn); along with surviving grandchildren, Brian Ragan (Charlene), Casey Ragan (Connie), David Montgomery (Laurie), Sarah Montgomery Buckles, Michael Alton Cooper, Matthew  Cooper (Alicia); great grandchildren, are Tyler Ragan (Jessie), Spencer Ragan (Bailey), Will Ragan (Paige), Carter Buckles, Ryan Buckles, Isla Rose Montgomery, Adriel Cooper, and Thomas Cooper; and great-great grandchildren,  Murphy Ragan, Hildi Ragan, Miller Ragan, and Liam Ragan. 

Alton and Hilda married on December 12, 1941, six days after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Sgt. Cooper served in the U. S. Army during World War II from 1942-1945.  He spent 2 years in Europe which included France, England, Northern Ireland, Germany, and Austria.  He served in the 92nd Signal Battalion in General George Patton’s Third Army in the European Theater of Operations.  Sgt. Cooper received 4 battle stars for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe and later received the French Medal of the Jubilee of Liberty to honor U.S. veterans who participated in the Normandy invasion and the liberation of France.

Mr. Cooper lived in the Monroe/West Monroe area for over forty years after the war.  Trained in welding and plumbing, he spent most of his working years as a plumber.  He and Hilda retired to Orange Beach, AL, in 1983 for 22 years where they enjoyed friends, their church, the beach, boating, fishing, and a relaxing lifestyle.  They returned to West Monroe in 2005 to be near family.

Alton was a member of McClendon Baptist Church in West Monroe.  Having served in Southern Baptist churches in many capacities, including deacon, for over 70 years, he demonstrated a strong faith and love for the Lord.  He deeply loved his family, friends, Bible study, reading, gardening, hunting, and fishing.  He was always lending a helping hand to those in need.  Alton Cooper was small in stature but large in heart, personality, and wit.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 24, 2024, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe, LA. Visitation will be from 12:30 P.M. until the time of service on Saturday. A Graveside Service will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery in Monroe.  Rev. Kevin Stewart will be officiating along with pastor and grandson, Casey Ragan.  

Mr. Cooper’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.  

Honorary pallbearers include Huey Wheelis, Joe Albritton, Polk Brian, and Bill Bobo.

Memorials may be sent to McClendon Baptist Church, West Monroe, LA.