After UPS driver Raheem Cooper saved the life of a great-grandmother, Marie Coble, they formed a friendship that transcended age and societal barriers.
It was a fateful detour on August 12th that led 30-year-old Cooper to encounter the 78-year-old Coble. Cooper, driving along a special street to make a shortcut for his next delivery, attributed his presence there to a higher power.
Cooper told Epoch Times that he believed it was all God’s plan, and all the glory should go to Him. Just following his instinct to take a shortcut, Cooper found a grocery bag on the ground and shortly after noticed a woman collapsed behind his truck – it was Coble. She was lying on the hot pavement, unable to speak or move despite being conscious.
Cooper parked his vehicle and rushed to Coble’s side, realizing she was bleeding profusely. While calling 911, he placed bags under her to protect her from the scorching ground and began wiping her body with cold water to keep her cool.
During this time, a young woman stopped to assist, helping Cooper lift Coble into her car’s back seat.
Cooper said, “I still don’t know the name of the woman who helped, but I’m grateful to her for the big help she provided.”
When the ambulance arrived, Cooper left his contact information with the medical personnel in case Coble’s family wanted more details.
Reflecting on his act of kindness, Cooper humbly stated that he didn’t think much of it, viewing it as something “any upright person would do for another.”
Local healthcare workers shared Cooper’s act of kindness on Facebook, causing the story to go viral online. While Cooper received national and local recognition for his heroic deed, he attributed everything that happened that day to a higher power.
Cooper expressed, “I personally feel that God guided me at the right time and place. All credit goes to God.”
In recognition of his good deeds, Cooper received a ribbon and a thank-you letter from UPS CEO Carol B. Tomé. His colleagues organized a special gathering at a weekly meeting to celebrate his actions, presenting him with an honorary plaque.
Coble, a resident of Valdosta, is a mother of four, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of eight. Her granddaughter, Kayla Cochran, referred to Cooper as their family’s guardian angel, a pillar of strength during challenging times.
The day after Coble was admitted to the hospital, Cochran received a call at 4 a.m. describing her grandmother’s ordeal, prompting her to drive from Folkston to Valdosta to visit her hospitalized relative. She found Coble “very confused and disoriented.”
Days later, Cochran arranged for Coble and Cooper to reunite. They met on a Sunday.
The reunion was emotional, as Cooper and Coble shared about their families and backgrounds. Both hail from Valdosta, though Cooper was born in Homerville.
Cooper shared, “Coble is very appreciative, and we’ve been in contact since that day.”
Despite initially stable conditions during Coble’s first visit, she was brought back to the ICU around 10:30 a.m. on August 21st. Hours later, Cochran learned that emergency surgery was necessary for Coble to survive the night due to bleeding in her brain. Fortunately, the surgery was successful.
Cooper revealed, “The first time I went to see her after the surgery, as soon as I stepped into the room, she reached out and hugged me. Her granddaughter told me she hadn’t spoken to anyone until I arrived at the hospital.”
Coble is now recovering well at a rehabilitation center in Homerville. She remembers everything now, aiding in her recovery.
Cooper visits Coble in the hospital once or twice weekly, often bringing his 8-year-old daughter along.
Cochran expressed gratitude, acknowledging that if it weren’t for Cooper’s intervention on that fatal day, her grandmother might have passed away. She said, “We are very fortunate that Cooper stopped to help her and did everything he did. We thank him for his brave actions.” She added, “Despite having delivery time constraints, Cooper still took the initiative to help.”
The loving granddaughter asks for continued prayers for her grandmother.
Cooper now greatly admires Coble, referring to her as his “adopted grandma.”
Both Coble and Cochran warmly welcome him, with Cochran affirming, “Cooper is now part of our family.”