HR0811 LRB096 17011 GRL 32447 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Jacob
4 Manuel Cooper Sr., who passed away on December 31, 2009; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was born on January 9, 1947, in
6 Shreveport, Louisiana; his parents were the late Esau Cooper
7 Sr. and Lillie Hawkins Cooper; he married the love of his life,
8 Priscilla Elanor Knox, on February 1, 1969, in Baton Rouge,
9 Louisiana; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. accepted Christ at an early age
11 and united with the Wesley Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal
12 Church in Princeton, Louisiana; after returning home in July of
13 2009, he reunited with the Wesley Chapel Church under the
14 leadership of Reverend Anthony Brim; he had great admiration
15 for Wesley because of the legacy of his great-grandfather, the
16 late Reverend John Hawkins, who founded the church in 1873; he
17 also spent time in fellowship with the Cathedral of Joy in
18 Flossmoor, where he was an honorary member; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. attended Princeton High School in
20 Princeton, Louisiana, where he graduated in May of 1964; he
21 received his bachelor's degree in recreation at Southern
22 University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and later attended Chicago

 

 

HR0811 - 2 - LRB096 17011 GRL 32447 r

1 State University to receive his teacher's certificate for
2 physical education; he also received his master's degree in
3 cultural studies from Governors State University; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was employed with the Chicago
5 Board of Education for 35 years until his retirement in 2004;
6 he was a dedicated physical education teacher at Ryder and
7 Shoop Elementary Schools; he also worked for the Chicago Park
8 District as a physical education instructor from 1969 to 1972;
9 and
 
10     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. enjoyed spending time with his
11 family and tending his garden, where he grew many different
12 types of vegetables; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was preceded in death by his
14 parents; his sisters, Jessie, Geraldine, and Dorothy; and his
15 brother, Howard; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. is survived by his loving wife,
17 Priscilla; his daughters, Tarshwa (Kevin) and Tonya (John); his
18 son, Jacob Jr.; his grandchildren, Kevin, Kristen, Joshua, and
19 Jasmine; his sisters, Vernona Barr, Nola Nadine Carter
20 (Lorenza), Lillie Ingram, and Mary Louise Robinson; his
21 brothers, Esau Cooper, Jr. (Gracie) and Ricky Cooper (Cindy);
22 his sister-in-law, Marcella Cooper; and his many nieces,

 

 

HR0811 - 3 - LRB096 17011 GRL 32447 r

1 nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. will be remembered by all who
3 knew and loved him as a devoted husband and father; therefore,
4 be it
 
5     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
6 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
7 mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Jacob
8 Manuel Cooper Sr.; and be it further
 
9     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10 presented to the family of Jacob Cooper Sr. as an expression of
11 our sympathy.