John Washington Cooley

April 16, 1921 - May 25, 2018

John Washington Cooley was born on April 16, 1921 in Belton, South Carolina to the late Charlie and Wynona Cooley. John is the sibling of Ronnie (Lisha) who preceded him in death, Arthur (Minerva) who preceded him in death, Willie (West) Carroll of Pittsburg, PA. Mildred (Robbie) Robinson of Jacksonville, FL. who preceded him in death, Samuel (Annette) of Belton, S.C., Wardell (Otis) Woods of Allendale, S.C., Thelma (Ray) Johnson of Walterboro, S.C. and Ruby Cooley of Belton, S.C. John gave his life to the Lord at an early age, he attended school and graduated from Geer Rosenwald High School in 1941. John joined the United States Army and Served our Country for 23 ½ years, he received several awards: National Defense, Good Conduct, Service Medal, Brown Stat Medal, 1st Cluster. John retired from the Army where he received an Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America as Platoon Sergeant, E-7 Engineer, Regular Army on December 4, 1960 and another Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America as Sergeant First Class E-7, Regular Army on December 4, 1963. John was a hard worker and man of integrity, he worked as a landscaper, in construction as a burner & welder, jack hammer and truck driver. In 1970 John began working at American Bakeries (Tastee Bread) where he retired in 1986. John was an avid fan of baseball, golf, bowling and watching cowboy movies. John, from a previous marriage has three daughters, Jacquelyn Passingham, Gwendolyn Whiteside and Marilyn Cooley. After dating Brenda McNeal for 5 years, John married his beloved wife of 28 years Brenda in 1990, from that union he also gained two more daughters Lenette and Rhonda McNeal. John leaves behind his loving wife Brenda Cooley, Children: Lenette (Frank) Wood of Detroit, MI. Rhonda McNeal McMillion of Round Rock, TX. Jacquelyn Passingham of California, Gwendolyn Whiteside of California and Marilyn Cooley of Belton, S.C. 6 Grandchildren: Jarrod Whiteside, Sheldon McNeal, Brandon McMillion, Lyndon McMillion, Rebekah McNeal and Joya Wood. 1 Great Grandson: Brandon Matthew McMillion II. And a host of nieces and nephews, family and friends. Funeral services For John W. Cooley will be held Thursday 11:00 A.M. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, burial will follow at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veteran Cemetery.