First Lady Vernan Merciline Cooper-Jonas was born on May 27, 1936 to the late Elder Jebbie Jones and Mother Corrine Jones of Batesville, Mississippi and later moved to Firework Station (Centreville, IL) in 1941. Vernan was preceded in death by her first husband Napoleon Cooper February 6, 1955 and second husband, Bishop Mack E. Jonas August 27, 2005.

Vernan is preceded in death by her brothers, Alvin Jones, Jonah Jones, Finch Jones, and J.B. Jones Jr.; sister, Joyce Turner (Henry); daughter, Karen Diane Byrum; sons, Napoleon (Chuck) Cooper, Darryl C. Cooper, and Derrick C. Cooper Sr.; stepson, Keith Pleasant; grandson, Derrick (Rick) Cooper Jr.; brother-in-law, James Cooper; sisters-in-law, Helen Cooper, Diane Jones, Corine Moore, Mary Mack, Birteal Whitlock, and Lula Mae Bonds.

Vernan attended Garrison Elementary School (Centreville, IL) and completed High School at St. Teresa Academy in East St. Louis, IL.

Vernan was employed at K Mart in Belleville, IL for many years assisting customers at the service desk. She was admired for her professional, dedicated, helpful, and courteous service. She was later employed at Wal-Mart in Vandalia, IL while she resided in Greenville, IL as a door greeter. A gracious host to everyone who entered and always a friendly face at the door.

Vernan was trained by "chosen vessels of God" in the way she should go. Vernan learned to love the Lord will all of her heart, soul, mind, and spirit. Vernan was baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost under the leadership of Elder E. A. Gillespie.

To some, Saturday, March 23, 2026 at 3:00 A.M. in the morning was for sleeping; to Vernan, it was the opening bell of the greatest treasure on earth. Her home wasn't just a house; it was a gallery of "the find." A $2 yard sale miracle other would ignore, after a weekend with Vernan it glowed a deep honeyed warmth in her eyes.

As she bids farewell to this world, she leaves behind so many that cherish her memory; her daughter, Venessa Cooper; sons, Kenneth Cooper Sr. (Dinnia) and Jeffrey Cooper (Janice); son-in-law, Robert Byrum Jr.; daughters-in-law, Sharon Cooper and Annie Cooper; brothers, Charles Jones (Carrie) and James Jones; sister, Carolyn Porter (Darryl); sisters-in-law, Louise Jones, Bobbie Cooper-Morris, and Lorene Cooper; brother-in-law, Willie Cooper (Deloris), 15 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren; two bonus daughters, Kimberly Jonas and Terrie Allen, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.