Walton County BOC Table Naming of Bridge for World's Oldest Resident

Walton County District 2 Commissioner Chuck Bagley said the naming of the bridge in Between currently under construction for the world's oldest resident, Besse Cooper, 115, was tabled Tuesday night. It will likely be discussed again at the August meeting. The matter had been put on the July Walton County Board of Commission meeting agenda after people asked that the BOC consider naming who had moved to Between in 1917 at the age of 19 to teach. She never left and now, at the age of 115, lives in a nursing home in Monroe.

"There have been some requests about doing something for some World War II veterans as well and that is being looked into," Bagley said. "Mrs. Cooper's birthday is in August and the construction on the bridge is expected to be completed by then, so there is time to address it in the August meeting."

Bagley said Cooper's son attended the BOC meeting and he seemed pleased at the outcome. Initially, Georgia House Reps. Tom Kirby and Bruce Williamson thought it required state action, but then were able to refer the matter to BOC Chairman Kevin Little since it is a county road.

"I think it is a great idea to name the bridge after Mrs Cooper," Little said at the time, adding " I think the bridge is scheduled to be opened in August and I believe her birthday is in August. Maybe we could even bring her out for the dedication. It will be a great honor for the community of Between. I know she has a history in that community."

Cooper's son said he didn't think his mother's condition is such that she herself would be able to attend a dedication, but he was pleased that the county was considering it. She is likely now to share that honor with some local World War II verterans.