Jacquelyn Foshee Cooper

Jacquelyn Yvonne Foshee was born on January 16, 1932, to parents Freddie R. and Verna B. The only child born to this union, she was delivered on a cold rainy day by Dr. Rickman and her grandmother Mrs. Ella Foshee. Jackie – as she was called by friends – was baptized at Mt. Olive Baptist Church when she was six years old. She remained an active member of the church throughout her childhood, attending Sunday school, playing piano for the senior choir, and singing in the junior choir. She also represented the church in oratorical contests and regularly won first prize. At Booker T. Washington High School, Jackie sang in the school chorus, girls’ quartet and the co-ed octet glee club. She was a cheerleader, acted in school plays, and was a member of the YWCA youth program, Y-Teens. She was contestant at interscholastic meets held yearly at Langston University, often competing in several activities during each event. Her innate drive and competitive nature often led her to first, second or third place wins in voice, dramatic readings, English, literature, and history. She graduated from high school in 1949 as valedictorian of her class. Jackie then attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where she studied music and elementary education, and joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. While attending Lincoln University, Jackie met her husband, Frederick S. Cooper. After college, Jackie was a stay-at-home mom for sixteen years before starting a career at Illinois Bell in 1967. She worked in sales, marketing, public relations, corporate communications, and personnel. She remained at the company, later working for Ameritech and AT&T, until she retired in 1990 as Operations Manager. Jackie was active, social, and community oriented. Her community service activities included the League of Women Voters and the Women’s Board for the Cancer Support Center in Homewood, Illinois. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Harvey and later joined the Hazel Crest Community United Methodist Church. There, she was President of United Methodist Women, served as Chairman of the Church Council, sang in the choir, and acted in church plays. After moving to Georgia, she joined St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Stone Mountain where she continued singing in the choir and hosted an annual tea for the women in the congregation. Jackie was an avid bridge player – a member of the Krazy Eights Bridge Club in Chicago, and later the Diva Bridge Club in Atlanta. She traveled around the world, loved to sing and dance, and enjoyed reading books and writing poetry. She was also open to learning new things, and particularly enjoyed a good debate. Jackie relished a good party and took pleasure in entertaining her friends and family. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, zest for life, and for showing up in the world with remarkable spirit, vitality and glamour. Jackie was preceded in death by her husband Frederick S. Cooper. Her spirit lives on through their three children, Frederick S. Cooper III, Cozetta Singleton, and Michele Cooper (Fred); her four grandchildren, Chase (Tara), Frederick, Carmen, and Tori; and her great-grandchildren, Coatie and Charlie. She is also survived by her sister Freddie Foshee Cudjo. Jackie’s ashes will be interred next to her husband at Washington Memorial Gardens in Homewood, Illinois. Final services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, 4347 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, Georgia 30034.

Tributes

Jacquelyn Foshee Cooper

January 16, 1932 - October 18, 2024