Maurice Rashad Cooper, a.k.a. “King Cooper,” 24, of Bogalusa, departed this life on Jan. 16, 2016, as a result of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash accident on Louisiana Highway 16 in Livingston Parish.

He was born on Nov. 5, 1991, in Bogalusa, the beloved son of Della Cooper and Raymond Nichols Sr. He attended Bogalusa City Schools and graduated from Bogalusa High School in 2010, where he was very athletic in playing football, basketball and track. After he graduated, he attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and Louisiana College in Pineville, where he played football.

As a child, Maurice got baptized at an early age and joined Sweet Beulah Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. James Magee, where he was a member of the choir. He also attended Blade Field Church of God in Christ in Kentwood. During his childhood, Maurice played with the Bogalusa Little League Association. He was working at CF Industries before his untimely death.

Maurice is survived by his loving mother, Della Cooper; his father, Raymond (Shelita) Nichols; his loving, caring, sweet-spirited grandmother Mrs. Vergie Dickerson who helped raise as her own; eight sisters, La’Tesha (Montrell) Morris, Ramona Nichols, Ramon Nichols, Alberta Nichols, LaKeria Nichols, Sterling Brumfield, Amber Sheridan and Rayquel Nichols; four brothers, Korey Cooper, Cedric (Krystal) Brumfield, Raymond Nichols Jr. and Rayshad Nichols; his grandmother, Vera Nichols; four loving aunts, Sandra Lusk, Novella Cooper Field, Sheila Martin and Demetria Nichols; five uncles, Robert Cooper, James Cooper, Donald Ray Nichols, Eugene Nichols Jr. and Brandon Nichols; his dog, Marley, whom he cared for like a son; two special children he loved as his own, Amaya Hudson and Ch’Riah Kemp; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, Pollie Cooper and L.C. Cooper; great-grandparents, Magalene and Frank Cryer; maternal grandparent, Eugene Nichols Sr.; and an uncle, Michael Nichols.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 22, at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The funeral service will be Saturday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m. at the Bogalusa High School auditorium, with the Rev. James Magee officiating. Interment will follow at Dickerson Elzy.