Selwyn Cooper

A Celebration of Life for Selwyn Cooper, will be held Saturday, January  6, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Baldwin, La.

Visitation will be Saturday, January  6, 2024, from 11:00 A.M. until the commencement of the celebration at Trinity United Methodist Church in Baldwin, La.

Selwyn will be interred at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery in Baldwin, La.

Selwyn was born in Franklin, LA on January 3, 1954, to the late Claude and Olga Hatcherson Cooper. He was confirmed at an early age at Trinity United Methodist Church in Baldwin, La.

He attended grade school at Sager-Brown Elementary in Baldwin, La. He was a 1972 graduate of Franklin Senior High School. He attended Werlein Music School in New Orleans, La. After finishing from Werlein, he completed welding school in Morgan City, La and became a certified welder. He worked as a certified welder for several years at McDermott Fabricators in Morgan City,La. In the late 1980s, he played with C.J. Chenier, the son of Clifton Chenier. In 1990, Selwyn played with Rockin' Dopsie and The Zydeco Twisters. During this time, he was featured in the first La Lottery Commercial.

In 1994, Selwyn formed his own band, The Zydeco Hurricanes. He recorded his first solo album for Mardi Gras Records, "Louisiana Zydeco." The album was well-received and allowed him to tour extensively. In 1999, he recorded a new album, Louisiana Swamp Blues, for the "Sound of New Orleans" label. In 1999, he also married JoAnn Cormier-Cooper. Notably, he contributed to two Grammy Award-winning albums.

At the 2005 Jazz Fest, Selwyn received the Critics' Choice award. In 2007, he released a new album titled Selwyn Vaurice Cooper (SVC) Sound Magic and performed under the name Selwyn Cooper & The Sharecroppers. In 1987, he appeared in the film "Big Easy" with Buckwheat Zydeco. He also performed with Rockin" Dopsie's band on the soundtrack for the movie "Delta Heat." Before retiring, Selwyn toured the world with several Louisiana-based zydeco bands. Selwyn was an affectionate, generous man who was willing to give to others. He was deeply loved by his family, friends, and all who knew him. Furthermore, he was a well-respected musician.

On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, God called Selwyn to his Heavenly Home. Selwyn was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Olga Cooper; two brother, Claude Cooper, Jr. and Delmas Laverne Cooper; grandparents, Harry Hatcherson and Trilby Jefferson Hatcherson. Selwyn leaves a legacy of love to cherish his memories.

Wife

JoAnn Cormier-Cooper of New Iberia, La

One Daughter

Dr. Latarsha Selwyna Cooper-Cheatham (Kendrick) of Pearland, TX

Two Step Children

Step-daughter: Tamara Collins (Travis) & Step-son: Termaine Cormier (Courtney) of New Iberia, La

Mother-in-law

Mary Allen of New Iberia, La

Two Sisters

Patricia Wilkerson-Castle of Baton Rouge La and Nedra Cooper-Francis of Houston, TX

Two Grandsons

Jacob Cheatham and Joshua Cheatham of Houston, TX

Bonus Daughter & Bonus Grandson

Shirley Vallier and Ryan Zay Vallier of Lafayette, La

Five Nephews

Keith Cooper (Portia) of New Orleans, La; Edmond Cooper (Alana) of Houston, TX; and Marcus Cooper (Raven) of Houston, TX; Chiron Francis and Choni Francis of Houston, TX

Two Cousins

Keith A. Lewis and Robert Hatcherson of Baldwin, La

Four Devoted Friends

Ricky Armelin, Mickey Druilhet, Keith Provost, and Glen Johnson of Baldwin, La.

MK Dixon Funeral Home, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, La 70514.