Retired Richmond pastor dies day after celebrating 100th birthday Pastor Margaret Cooper (Source: Elfreda Anderson) By NBC12 Newsroom | February 1, 2021 at 6:05 PM EST - Updated February 1 at 6:05 PM RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A former Richmond pastor died on Sunday after celebrating her 100th birthday at Beaufont Rehabilitation Center on Saturday. Pastor Margaret Williams Cooper was born on Jan. 30, 1921, in Wallace, North Carolina. On the morning of Jan. 31, Cooper died peacefully. Cooper married Deacon Van Cooper in 1938, and they later had three children. Cooper was especially proud of her children, 10 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 30 great-great-grandchildren. Loved ones said they will forever remember the special celebration with Cooper that they had on Saturday.