Eulastene Coppage

Eulastene Coppage, affectionately nicknamed “Honey”, was born on January 15, 1939, in Sledge, Mississippi to Clarence Williams and Janie Clark. It was in Mississippi that Eulastene accepted Christ at a young age and attended school.

She married the love of her life and soulmate, Willie James Coppage, better known as “Peter”, on September 16, 1956. To this union 5 children were born.

Eulastene and Willie moved from Mississippi to the West Side of Chicago in 1959, where they became members of Asia Missionary Baptist Church (MBC), under the leadership of Rev. Collins. While at Asia MBC, Eulastene faithfully served on the usher board. When the family later moved to the South Side of Chicago, Eulastene led her family in joining Trinity United Church of Christ under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Jerimiah A Wright Jr, pastor emeritus. Eulastene was a proud member of Trinity United Church of Christ. She loved the Lord and she loved her church.

Eulastene entered the workforce once her youngest child was old enough to attend school. She worked as a lunchroom cook for 28 years for several schools of Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Eulastene retired from CPS in 2001.

It comes to no surprise that Eulastene would take a position as a cook once she started working, as she was a phenomenal cook who was best known for her delicious soul-food dishes including yeast rolls, chicken and dumplings, cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, homemade ice cream, sweet potato pies and pound cakes---just to name a few. Her southern hospitality and generosity were unmatched. Living up to her nickname, Honey, she treated everyone so sweetly and with kindness. Family and friends, alike, looked forward to going to Uncle Peter and Aunt Honey’s house because they knew they would be welcomed with open arms, fed well, and given a warm and comfortable bed if needed.

On June 2, 2026, in the comfort of her home with family and surrounded by love, Eulastene made her transition to be with the Lord.

Eulastene was a faithful servant of God, a devoted wife, loving mother, nurturing grandmother, tender great-grandmother, and caring sister, aunt, and friend. She will be missed tremendously. Eulastene loved her family and her family loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Williams and Janie Clark; seven siblings, Alberta Coppage, Bernice Battle Johnson, James Cox, Dave Richmond, James Williams, N.J. Williams, and Thomas Williams; one grandson, James Williams; and one great-granddaughter, Eriahna Cire Stallworth.

Eulastene leaves to cherish her memory, her amazing husband of nearly 70 years, Willie J. Coppage; five children, Juanita Hooks (William Sr.), Dave Coppage Sr. (Sarah), Willie E Coppage, Annette Coppage (Nate), and Venetrise McPherson; two brothers; James Clyde Benson and Tommie Brook; three sisters, Gloria Clark, Ruth Morgan (Wardean), and Rosie L. Boyd; eleven grandchildren, William Hooks Jr, Chiquia Hollings (Monty Sr.), Dave Coppage Jr, Alicia Coppage, Ke’Andre Hooks, Tiffany Burks, William (Malcolm) Taylor, Elizabeth Coppage, Jasmine Coppage, El Jamah McPherson, and Trinity McPherson; 6 great-grandchildren, Kenyon (KJ) Hunter Jr, Jaden Dudley, Monty (MJ) Hollings Jr, Julian (Juju) Taylor, Milani McPherson, and Layla-Sha’ban Crawford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.