The Tribune

CONTINUING Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church’s list of ‘Fabulous Forty,’ fathers to mark the 40th Anniversary of Independence - Rev Havard S. Cooper

REV Havard S. Cooper was born in Smith’s Point, Grand Bahama on March 13, 1931.

He received his education at Eight Mile Rock All Age School, and married (the late) Doris Minette Bartlett in December 1952.

They have five children: Reverends Andrea & Allison Pinder, Rev Dr Havard and Min Alice Cooper, Ministers Paxton & Patrice Cooper, Min Stephaine & Rev Dr Elvis Burrows and Deacons Emil and Kenth Symonette.

Rev Cooper worked as a fisherman at the Saw-Mill in Pine Ridge and as a contract worker in the USA.

Rev Cooper was also employed as a messenger for the Grand Bahama Port Authority before he ventured into his own business - a chicken farm, followed by The Island Market.

Other businesses included Burger King Restaurant, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Kipling Buildings, The International Building, Mr Baker and H & C Industries.

These companies were registered in the name of his wife, Doris Minerte. Doris Minette Holdings Enterprises Ltd is known throughout Grand Bahama for its support of a wide range of humanitarian efforts in order to help enhance the quality of life in the community and elsewhere.

Rev Cooper has served as an ordained Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent in Upper Zion Baptist Church with the late Rev Dr Wellington Pinder.

In 1975, Rev Cooper became co-sponsor of the Upper Zion Evangelistic Team Radio Programme, “The Good News” which airs every Saturday and Tuesday mornings at 6.30am on ZNS 3.

In July 1978, Rev Cooper was ordained to the Gospel Ministry. In October 1990, Rev Cooper was installed as Assistant Pastor of Upper Zion Baptist Church in which he served until the time of his retirement in April, 2000.

Rev Cooper was the recipient of the Local Hero Hall of Fame for Business Award, Grand Bahama Camber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award, Lifetime Achievement Award Rotary Club, Economic Award 9th International Regional Conference, Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, Turks and Caicos Heritage Association of Grand Bahama, Commonwealth of the Bahamas Silver Jubilee Award and Most Excellent Order of the British Empire OBE.