Jacqueline Coppage

Jacqueline was born February 14, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, to the union of Joan and Alfred Bowman. She was the third oldest child of six children. As a quiet child, Jacqueline often spent many years at home by herself playing with her dolls. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in the Lutheran faith. She attended and graduated from elementary school at James R. Doolittle and continued her education at Paul Lawrence Dunbar Vocational High School where she also graduated. She married her childhood sweetheart Russell Coppage Jr., and to this union three children were born: Donna, Russell III and Jacques. The family grew up in Ida B. Wells extension 551 E. 36th Place, 4th Floor. Her home was always filled with boys. Jacqueline would french braid all the boys hair. She was heavy-handed and would “POP” their heads if they moved. She treated everyone’s child like her own and kept a wooden table leg close by and would use it if they got out of order. They were all afraid of that table leg. Jacqueline worked at AMF O’Hare Field Post Office for 43 years until her retirement in 2010. She was a fashionable lady who loved shopping, traveling and bowling. She bowled with the AMF O’Hare Bowling league and won many, many awards and trophies. As a loving, no-nonsense parent, Jacqueline kept her children culturally literate through regular visits to museums, zoos, and the theater. Her role later evolved into becoming the soil from which her grandchildren sprung, allowing them to thrive. Jacqueline departed this life Thursday December 11, 2025, at 6:00a.m. with Donna, Russell III and Charlotte at her bedside. She was preceded in death by her parents Joan and Alfred Bowman; her brothers Richard, Alfred Jr., James, and Robert; her son Jacques Woodman Coppage; and her grandsons Phiniehas Coppage and Davant Mathis. Jacqueline leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted daughter Minister Donna Coppage; her supportive son Russell (Rusty) Coppage III (Paula); one sister, Charlotte Brewster; nine grandchildren: Robert Nathaniel Coppage (Chris Tina), Shoeresh Ben-Levi Coppage, Yvuwanna Coppage, Tonya Skanes (Quincy), Russell Coppage, IV, Kenyatte Gail, Kenisha Gail, Kensandra Gail, Kenshauna Gail, Christian and Kori, 21 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and two bonus sons Michael and Freddy O’Deneal. She was affectionately called mom or momma Jackie by many and will be remembered most for her quiet spirit, loving, warm smile. She also loved to eat Dots, orange slice and hard candy.

Jacqueline Coppage

February 14, 1938 - December 11, 2025