Mr. and Mrs. J. Emery Nichols of Suffolk announce the engagement of their daughter, Sara Christian Nichols, to John Kenneth Cooper.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Cooper of Scotland Neck, N.C.

Miss Nichols is the maternal granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joel E. Harrell Jr., who lived in Suffolk, and paternal granddaughter of Mrs. Ethel D. Nichols of Suffolk, and the late Charlie E. Nichols.

Mr. Cooper is the maternal grandson of Mrs. Mary P. Grimes of Scotland Neck, and the late John W. Grimes, and paternal grandson of Mrs. Edith Edmondson of Scotland Neck, and the late William B. Cooper.

Miss Nichols is a 1997 graduate of Lakeland High School and a 2002 graduate of East Carolina University, and a May 2004 Master of Arts degree candidate from East Carolina University.

Mr. Cooper is a 1997 graduate of Enfield Academy in Whitakers, N.C., and a 2001 graduate of East Carolina University, and a May 2004 Master of Science degree candidate from East Carolina University.

The wedding will take place Saturday, June 12 in Liberty Spring Christian Church.