Full Text of HR0209

HR0209 LRB104 12895 LAW 24381 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Opear Ree (Cooley) Myles, who passed away on March 9, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Myles was born to Garfield Cooley Sr. and Ivory Mae Cooley in Grenada, Mississippi on October 25, 1928; she was the eldest of seven children; she attended the public school system in Grenada; she later relocated to Chicago; she married Evangelist Mark Myles Sr. in 1953; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Myles maintained a successful career in the Chicago Public School (CPS) system for over 18 years; during her tenure, she positively impacted the minds of the students, staff, and faculty members that she frequently encountered; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Myles supported her husband in his establishment of the Van Buren Street Church of Christ on Chicago's West Side in 1959, which is known today as the Far West Church of Christ; she faithfully served the Far West congregation as a teacher of Sunday school and the Ladies' Bible Class, a mentor for the youth and adults, and a spiritual guidance counselor until she was unable to attend; she had the opportunity of seeing three of her sons become evangelists themselves, Evangelists Mark Myles Jr. and Luke Myles Sr. of Far West Church of Christ and Evangelist Matthew Myles of Central Pointe Church of Christ in Bloomington, where he serves as senior minister; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Myles was a member of the National Dinner Day and the Penny Pageant Committees of the Chicago area Churches of Christ; she was also a member of the Bowser Association of Women; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Myles received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for her commitment to faith and Christian education from Dr. Jack Evans Sr., then-president of Southwestern Christian College, in 2012; she was featured as one of the three eldest widows of gospel preachers of the African American Churches of Christ in the April 2019 Lectureship Edition of the Christian Courier; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Myles, who was regarded as the "Senior First Lady of All Ministers' Wives in Chicago", a "Sister of the Struggle", and a "Woman of God", served as a tremendous influence to her family, her church, her community, the Chicago area Churches of Christ, and the entire brotherhood; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Myles was a beloved mother, grandmother, and godmother who will be remembered for her wisdom, her devotion, and her contributions to her faith; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Opear Ree (Cooley) Myles and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Myles as an expression of our deepest sympathy.