Obituary of Robert Cooper Weaver

Robert Cooper Weaver passed away on November 5, 2014. He was born in Talladega, AL, on December 29, 1927. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, William Kiser Weaver and Roberta Cooper Weaver, and brothers, Dr. William Kiser Weaver, Jr. and Dr. Davis Weaver. He is survived by his sister, Ann Weaver Armstrong of Montgomery, AL, nephew Dr. Chip Armstrong (Susie) of Eclectic, AL, and nieces Ann Armstrong Judd (Tom) of Marietta, GA, Anne Weaver Davis (Tom) of Montrose, AL, and Dr. Lynda Armstrong Newsome (Ed) of Kennesaw, GA, many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, and special friends Bobby and Janette Weaver of Talladega. Robert graduated from Howard College (Samford University) in 1949. He was editor of The Howard Crimson, and a member of Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. As proprietor of Wood-Weaver Shoes, he was one of several Weaver family members who owned businesses on the square in Talladega. At age 40, he took sign language classes, founded and directed Talladega Community Church for the Deaf. He spearheaded the building of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind’s (AIDB) Hawkins Chapel, specially designed for deaf and blind. He volunteered with the AIDB Foundation for more than 50 years. For over 35 years, Mr. Weaver put ice cream covered smiles on the faces of students at ASD. Known affectionately as THE ICE CREAM MAN, Mr. Weaver brought ice cream to pre-school and kindergarten students at the Robert C. Weaver Cottage, let the students select their favorite flavor and served them a cone. The AIDB “Volunteer of the Year” bears Weaver’s name as its first recipient. The Weaver Citizenship Award is an honor students bestow on one of their peers. In 2011, he was the first recipient of the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award for his work with AIDB. He funded the construction of, and helped bring volunteers from around the Southeast to build Weaver Chapel at Shocco Springs. He was featured in Newsweek Magazine’s “In Search for Outstanding Good Neighbor in America” series and was the recipient of the National Pioneer in Deaf Ministries Award. He designed and helped place a monument on the Talladega Courthouse lawn to honor those who served on the USS Talladega, a ship that sailed in three wars and transported four Marines for the famous flag raising at Iwo Jima. Graveside service will be conducted at Oak Hill Cemetery, Saturday November 8, 2014 at 1:00 PM. Rev. Buster Taylor and Dr. Dennis Jones will officiate. Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega will direct. Following the service, the family will receive friends at AIDB, Hawkins Chapel, 300 Oak Street, Talladega, AL from 2:00- 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to AIDB, P.O. Box 6980 Talladega AL. 35161or Shocco Springs, 1314 Shocco Springs Rd, Talladega AL 35160. Online condolences may be sent to www.usreyfuneralhome.com