Family Tree

The name Cooper is English in origin . The definition of Cooper is "an English occupational name for one who made and sold casks, buckets and tubs." Alternate surname spellings include: Kooper, Koeper, Kupfer, Coopers, Cooperman, Coper, Coober, Coopey, and Copper. My father's family came into Shelbyville, Tennessee from England where they settled and have stayed in the area until my father moved to Georgia in 1989.

The name Cathey's origins are English . I can find no derivatives of the name. There were numerous Cathey's who served in the War Between the States. My mother's family has lived in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and area for as long as any of the family can recall.

My name is Michael Allen Cooper. I was born January 4, 1983, in Shelbyville, Tennessee. My parents are George Ellis Cooper III, and Melody W. Cathey Cooper. The following paper is the history of my family for four generations.

Cooper

Occupation(s) of Ancestry

George Ellis Cooper III was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, on January 16, 1959. His parents are George Ellis Cooper Jr. (January 13, 1937) and Mary Lynn Crews Cooper (July 19, 1938). Both parents were born and raised in Shelbyville, Tennessee. George III is a mechanical maintenance engineer with a firm located in McDonough, Georgia. He has worked in mechanical maintenance for the last twenty years. During this time, he has also been a welder, and a general contractor. His father, George Jr., served in military, and worked for twenty four years as a United States Postal Worker. Mary is what is known now as a domestic engineer, otherwise known as a homemaker. George Sr. was a farmer all his life, and his wife Nellie Aiden Melton Cooper was a housewife. Mary's father, Lynn Thomas Crews, worked as a mill worker in Shelbyville. Her mother stayed home and kept house and raised the children.

Religion(s) of Ancestry

My father's family is Southern Baptist. This is the only type of church I can recall attending while I was growing up. Both my Grandfather and my Great Grandfather made sure the family was in Church on Sunday morning and Sunday night.

Political and Racial Beliefs

My father is extremely racist. I have tried to overcome this viewpoint since I have left home. While in the military, I truly had my eyes opened as to the fact that we are all equal, and all are the same color under the skin.

My father, after he moved to Georgia, voted Republican. He is a firm Republican at this time. If the Republican party says it, it must be true. His father and mother and grandfather and grandmother were all southern Democrats. They cannot understand my fathers deciding to vote Republican. After watching the political channels on the television and trying to stay abreast of the political situations today, I tend to lean more toward the Democrat party.

Education

I am in my third year of college. My father graduated high school. My grandfather received his diploma on the same day as my father. My grandmother graduated high school. My great-grandfather worked on the farm and left school as soon was possible in order to help the family. My great-grandmother finished grammar school, but dropped out to stay home and help with her brothers and sisters.

Military

I served two years in the United States Navy. My father went through boot camp with the army, but did not serve. He came home after boot camp. My grandfather served in the National Guard during World War II, and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. My great-grandfather never served in the military that anyone in the family is aware of.

Languages

The only language the family speaks in English. Since we came from England, they never spoke another language.

Mobility

The family has lived in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas since coming from England. My father's move to Georgia and my living here is the farthest any member of the family has lived from Bedford County, Tennessee.

Customs, Celebrations, Rituals, Traditions and Superstitions

The only day the family got together as a family was on Christmas. In recent years this has not been as often because of family conflict. The family is not a close knit one, and do not keep in touch with each other as much as other families do.

Cathey

Occupation(s) of Ancestry

Melody W. Cathey Cooper, was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, on July 20, 1960. Her parents are Bert Cathey (July 5, 1925) and Sylvia Bridges Cathey (November 18, 1927). Both parents were born and raised in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Melody is an LPN, and is employed at Bedford County General Hospital, in Shelbyville, Tennessee. She has worked with them since 1982. Her father, Bert, worked as a factory worker and a farmer until he retired. Her mother, Sylvia, was a housewife. My mother was the first female to get a "real job" in her family. Her grandfather, Floyd Bert, was a farmer, and his wife Bessa Apalona Cathey was a housewife.

Religion(s) of Ancestry

My mother's family is Methodist. This caused problems when my mother and father married, since they were from two different denominations.

Political and Racial Beliefs

My mother is very racist. As I stated on my fathers history, I have tried to overcome this viewpoint since I have left home.

My mother is Republican. I think this is the only thing my mother and father ever agreed on. Her mother and father are both democrats. As stated earlier, I consider myself a democrat.

Education

My mother graduated from a two year program to get her LPN. My grandfather dropped out of school at sixteen and joined the National Guard. My grandmother graduated high school. My great-grandfather dropped out in third grade. My great-grandmother graduated from high school, and was number three in her class of fifty eight students.

Military

My grandfather served in the National Guard. His father never served in the military.

Languages

The only language the family speaks in English. Since we came from England, they never spoke another language.