Hardin Alexander Cooper, age 38, a resident of Decatur, Georgia died Thursday, November 26, 2015. He was born on April 22, 1977 to the parents of Alex and Lille Mae Harris Cooper in Melbourne, Florida.  He succumbed to cancer and made his transition on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015.  He was his mother's pride and joy.   His mother, Lillie Mae Harris Mobley, later remarried and moved her family back home to Bartow, Florida.  She preceded Alex in death.

Alex joined New Mt. Zion AME Church in Bartow, Florida at an early age.  A precocious child, Alex was always inquisitive and exploring.  Although, he had three older sisters, Domonica, Veronica and Nikosha, he was always a leader.  To his younger sister, Alicia, with whom he had a very special bond, he was her protector and hero.

Alex loved his nieces and nephews.  "Uncle Mann," as they lovingly called him, always took the time to attend important events in their lives.  He had a special bond and served as a father figure for his nieces.  To his special cousin, Omari, he was a mentor and role model.

His early education was in Bartow and Lakeland, Florida.  During his junior year in high school, he moved to Atlanta to live with his Aunt, Marjorie Young, and her husband, Francis Young.  He graduated with honors from Tri-Cities High School.

Alex went on to college at Georgia State University, where he was an honors graduate with a B.S. in business.  He attended graduate school and received his M.Ed in Counseling and Psychological Services.  He later became a National Certified Counselor and was certified by the State of Georgia as a licensed professional counselor.  He was also working on his goal of owning a professional counseling and therapy practice.

Alex began his career with Verizon Wireless, where he was a Customer Services Representative.  His dream was to own a business.  He developed a partnership with John Kennebrew to create and run a successful business, called Progressive Property Management.    At his death, he was working as a Social Services Provider II for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center.  He was the Designated Mental Health Authority and Psychotherapist.  His supervisor, Facility Director Audrey Stokes, indicates that Alex was an outstanding, dependable and bright worker, who had a great impact on the facility and youth that he served.  She states that the youth took his death very hard.

Alex was a very talented and caring person.  He learned everything quickly.  He was an astute and successful business person, owning his first home and business as a very young age.  He served as a mentor and foster parent for youth with special needs.

Alex leaves to mourn his sisters, Alicia Cooper of Lithonia, Georgia and Damonica Benniefield, Veronica Benniefield Green and Nikosha Benniefield of Lakeland, Florida; his aunts, Eloise Harris Boone and Marjorie Harris Young of Atlanta, Georgia and Inez Harris Hudson of Lakeland, Florida; his uncles, Alexander Harris of Bartow, Florida and Larry Harris of Atlanta, Georgia; nieces, nephews and a host of relatives and friends.

The funeral will be held on Friday, December 4 at 1:00 P.M. at St. James AME Church, located at 1020 Magnolia Street in Bartow, Florida.  A wake will be held on Thursday, December 3 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Gause Funeral Home, 625 S. Holland Parkway, Bartow, Florida.