Charlie & Pat Cooper
Charlie and Pat Cooper have shared an extraordinary journey together for 62 years. Their story began in the summer of 1963 at a wedding in Louisville, Kentucky, where they were paired to walk down the aisle together. Charlie was instantly taken with Pat, and over the following months, their connection grew. By the next May, they were married. Charlie and Pat’s love and devotion to one another has been the foundation of their life together in Tennessee.
The Coopers are the proud parents of four wonderful children: Chuck, Carol, John, and Susan. Their family has continued to grow over the years, with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, including their newest great-grandchild expected this coming August. Pat spent many years as a stay-at-home mother before working as a secretary for about 10 years at Father Ryan Catholic High School in Nashville. She then worked at Precision Color, Inc. for 15 years. Charlie built a successful career as a Certified Public Accountant, later applying his expertise at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Together, they also ran a Burger Queen restaurant franchise for about three years. Today, Charlie and Pat live in Nashville with their youngest daughter, Susan, who is now 51 years old.
Susan’s life took a different path at just four years old when she contracted encephalitis, an inflammation of brain tissue, which led to a seizure disorder and brain impairment. Over the years, she has undergone various treatments, including anti-convulsant medications, drug studies, and surgery. Susan graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1993 and went on to work in a beauty salon. She is currently part of the TennCare ECF CHOICES program and works at Harmony at Bellevue, a senior living community in Nashville.
Susan is a kind, faith-filled, and lovable person with a strong spiritual life. She’s known for her quick laugh and lighthearted nature. She enjoys building Legos, crafting, grooving to Joan Jett’s music, bowling with friends, and playing Uno with her older brother, John. Pat and Charlie take immense pride in their daughter, both agreeing that “she has accomplished a lot with what she has.”
The Coopers first turned to the Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) when Susan’s TennCare renewal was wrongly denied. TennCare had incorrectly determined that Susan was ineligible for benefits, resulting in the termination of her health insurance. With the help of a TJC attorney, Pat and Charlie were able to resolve the appeal and reinstate Susan’s coverage.
After their daughter’s wrongful termination from TennCare, Pat and Charlie selflessly volunteered as plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit AMC vs. Smith, challenging the flawed administration of the state’s Medicaid program. In August of 2024, a federal court in Nashville ruled that TennCare had violated the Constitution, the Medicaid Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Pat and Charlie’s participation in the lawsuit was driven by a desire to ensure justice for all Tennesseans affected by the program’s injustices.
Susan has come a long way since she first developed her brain impairment and seizure disorder as a little girl. However, she still needs support in order to live independently. Right now, Charlie and Pat Cooper offer that support, but they have started to wonder where Susan will live when they are no longer here.
Time is one of the most valuable gifts a person can give, and Pat and Charlie have joyfully dedicated their time to creating a place of belonging for people with developmental disabilities, like Susan. Fourteen years ago, they founded Springboard Landings, an intentional community apartment complex specifically designed for adults with developmental disabilities. The complex, still under construction, will feature 24 units, an on-site apartment manager, 19 residents with disabilities, an exercise room, two large community centers, and support staff available to assist residents. The apartments will allow for independent living, with kitchens and in-unit laundry. With his soft-spoken humor and clever wit, Charlie remarked, “We’re not sure if Springboard Landings is keeping us young or making us old.” Ultimately, the couple hopes that Springboard Landings will offer people with developmental disabilities “the dignity and home they deserve” in a place where they feel “fully accepted and understood.”
When asked to describe their partner’s most admirable quality, Pat and Charlie smiled. After Pat praised Charlie’s honesty and meticulous work ethic, Charlie was quick to recognize Pat’s role in making Springboard Landings a reality. He commended Pat for fostering a sense of community wherever she goes. Whether through helping start a book club at her church, or helping found Open Arms, a church group for children with disabilities, Pat has always been a leader in building community for her family, her daughter, and all individuals with developmental disabilities. Despite the challenges they’ve faced, their marriage has remained filled with joy, laughter, and an unwavering love for one another.
Pat and Charlie both want Susan to be happy. They have cherished watching her grow more confident in her job and friendships, and they look forward to her becoming even more independent. The Tennessee Justice Center is proud to honor them both as 2025 Caregivers of the Year.
Photo by Ellie Bartholomew
