Vanda Claire Cooper

Vanda Claire Cooper, 79, of Sumter, passed away peacefully the evening of February 23, 2021 at the Sumter Rehabilitation and Hospice Center in Sumter, SC. She was born November 1, 1941 in the Mill Village community in Winnsboro, SC to the late John Preston Cooper Jr. and Annie Mae Kelly Cooper. Vanda enjoyed music, and sang with her father at the Sawney’s Creek Baptist Church in Ridgeway, SC, where she attended. She also enjoyed attending singing conventions and traveled throughout SC and surrounding states to hear her favorite singers perform. Vanda is survived by her son, Richard Eugene Braziel; daughter-in-law, Annie Rogers Braziel of Pelion, SC; grandchildren, Taylor Nichole Braziel of Pelion SC, Rebekka Elizabeth Braziel of Pelion, SC, Kennedy Leigh Braziel Moore (Drew Moore) of Columbia, SC, Christopher David Braziel of Jackson, NC, Michael Garrett Braziel of Columbia, SC, Justin Ray Shumpert of Pelion, SC, Rayma Michelle Shumpert of Pelion, SC; son-in-law Jimmy Ray Shumpert of Pelion, SC, and 4 great-grandchildren. Other survivors include her sister, Jo Ann Cooper Killeen of McLean, VA; nephew, Steven Wayne Sherrod of Goldsboro, NC; nieces, Carla Leigh Sherrod Sutherland of Goldsboro, NC, Kelly Jill Cook Imhof of Great Mills, MD. In addition to her parents, Vanda was preceded in death by her stepmother, Rebecca Simmons Cooper; daughter, Melanie Claire Braziel Shumpert; brother, Johnny Lavon Cooper; husbands, David Eugene Braziel and David Craft. A graveside memorial service and celebration of Vanda’s life will be held at Sawney’s Creek Cemetery, State Hwy. 34, Ridgeway, SC, 29130 at 3:00 PM, Sunday, March 14, 2021. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations, in Vanda’s honor, to Sawney’s Creek Baptist Church, 14605 State Highway 34 E, Ridgeway, SC 29130