TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Oct 26, 2022

Tennessee Rep. Barbara Cooper, D-Memphis, the oldest serving legislator in state history, died Tuesday at the age of 93. She served in the legislator for more than 25 years, the Commercial Appeal reports. Cooper was first elected in 1996 to District 86. During her tenure, she served on the Health and Safety Committee and the Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee. Cooper earned a bachelor's and master's degree from Tennessee State University and a doctorate degree in religious philosophy and Christian psychology from the Jackson Theological Seminary. Tributes from colleagues include remarks from House Minority Leader Karen Camper, who said Cooper “was a warrior for her community and the City of Memphis, a tireless advocate on education and equality issues and just a delightful person.” Funeral information has not yet been announced.