Wednesday, July 30, 2025 9:13 am

Keith Arland Cooper, age 63 of Forest City died Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Keith was born January 1, 1962, in Vance County, NC and he was a son of the late John Harrill Cooper and Catherine McGinnis Cooper.

He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church. He was a partner and one of the founders of Alliance Insurance Group which recently celebrated 25 years in Forest City.

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

Survivors 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 sister-in-law, Lisa Cooper of Rutherfordton.

The funeral was held July 26 at Liberty Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Mack Tester and Rev. Owen Duncan officiating.

Memorials may be made to Liberty Baptist Church, Building Fund, 821 Webb Rd., Ellenboro, NC 28040.

An online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com

Padgett~King Mortuary and Crematory is serving the family.