Coopers Chapel Cemetery is a large public cemetery located in far Northeast Titus County. It is fenced with a chain link fence, well maintained and has ample expansion room. The cemetery is quite old and although its history is scarce, we know from monuments that it existed in the early 1880s. The Cooper family was instrumental in establishing the cemetery with some of the Coopers coming to Texas in the wagon train with the Riddles in 1847. The first recorded deed for the cemetery came from William Cooper to the Coopers Chapel church and graveyard. A Texas Historical Landmark designation awarded to the church and cemetery reads as follows:
COOPERS CHAPEL CHURCH AND CEMETERY
The pioneer families of William Cooper and William Ellis moved from Tennessee and settled here sometime during the 1850s. The burials of W. R. Cooper, Lizzie Dixon, and a Mrs. Harvey in 1886 are the earliest burials recorded here. By 1895 William Cooper had donated two acres, including the early grave sites, for church and graveyard purposes.
Although local tradition indicates that this sanctuary was built by members of the Cooper's Chapel Church of Christ in 1892 the earliest record of its existence is contained in a deed recorded in 1913. It is a modest example of a rural frame church sanctuary featuring a hipped roof and double door primary entrance. The site of numerous social activities, particularly during the 1930s depression period, the building served as a place of worship until 1980. It was transferred to Coopers Chapel Cemetery trustees in 1981.
A springtime event known as “Decoration Day” began early in the community's history and continues today as an annual event often attended by over 200 people. Among those buried here are Mrs. Harvey's son William, a prominent local citizen. Many of this area's pioneer settlers and their descendants, and veterans of wars ranging from the Civil War to the Vietnam conflict.
Recorded Texas Historic landmark 1993
A program of marking graves without monuments with flat concrete slabs that was instituted many years ago resulted in 155 of the slabs remaining. Additionally, 20 concrete construction blocks mark other grave sites along with a basket and flower pot, 3 granite slabs, a 6 inch square concrete block, a monument base with the monument missing, 2 manufactured concrete markers that have lost the glass and information on the interred, an unreadable funeral home marker and a native stone serve to mark others.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM THE TITUS COUNTY COURTHOUSE:
Travel 1.4 miles north on Jefferson Street to the intersection with Burton Road (Interstate 30 service road). Turn right (east) onto Burton Road. The Interstate 30 on ramp is 0.2 mile on the left from the intersection. Enter Interstate 30 and proceed 7.7 miles east. Exit at Texas FM 1993 (Exit 170). Turn left (north) at the stop sign onto FM 1993. Proceed 2.1 miles on FM 1993. The cemetery is on the right side of the road at the intersection of Titus County Road 3425.
