HR0811 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0811 LRB096 17011 GRL 32447 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Jacob Manuel Cooper Sr., who passed away on December 31, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was born on January 9, 1947, in Shreveport, Louisiana; his parents were the late Esau Cooper Sr. and Lillie Hawkins Cooper; he married the love of his life, Priscilla Elanor Knox, on February 1, 1969, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. accepted Christ at an early age and united with the Wesley Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Princeton, Louisiana; after returning home in July of 2009, he reunited with the Wesley Chapel Church under the leadership of Reverend Anthony Brim; he had great admiration for Wesley because of the legacy of his great-grandfather, the late Reverend John Hawkins, who founded the church in 1873; he also spent time in fellowship with the Cathedral of Joy in Flossmoor, where he was an honorary member; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. attended Princeton High School in Princeton, Louisiana, where he graduated in May of 1964; he received his bachelor's degree in recreation at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and later attended Chicago State University to receive his teacher's certificate for physical education; he also received his master's degree in cultural studies from Governors State University; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was employed with the Chicago Board of Education for 35 years until his retirement in 2004; he was a dedicated physical education teacher at Ryder and Shoop Elementary Schools; he also worked for the Chicago Park District as a physical education instructor from 1969 to 1972; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. enjoyed spending time with his family and tending his garden, where he grew many different types of vegetables; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Jessie, Geraldine, and Dorothy; and his brother, Howard; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. is survived by his loving wife, Priscilla; his daughters, Tarshwa (Kevin) and Tonya (John); his son, Jacob Jr.; his grandchildren, Kevin, Kristen, Joshua, and Jasmine; his sisters, Vernona Barr, Nola Nadine Carter (Lorenza), Lillie Ingram, and Mary Louise Robinson; his brothers, Esau Cooper, Jr. (Gracie) and Ricky Cooper (Cindy); his sister-in-law, Marcella Cooper; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends; and

WHEREAS, Jacob Cooper Sr. will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a devoted husband and father; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Jacob Manuel Cooper Sr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jacob Cooper Sr. as an expression of our sympathy.