News Summary
The Chattanooga community mourns the passing of Jacqueline Hutto-Cooper, an esteemed educator and civil rights advocate, who dedicated her life to the empowerment of others. Celebrated for her contributions to education and her significant role in the civil rights movement, Hutto-Cooper’s legacy will be honored with a memorial service. A role model for many, she leaves behind a profound impact on her community and family.
Chattanooga Mourns the Loss of Esteemed Educator and Civil Rights Advocate Jacqueline Hutto-Cooper
Chattanooga, Tennessee has lost an influential figure with the passing of Jacqueline Hutto-Cooper, who died on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Surrounded by her two nieces, Connie Cook Dallas and Tamla Sturdivant, Hutto-Cooper’s death marks the end of a significant chapter in local history as she dedicated her life to education and civil rights advocacy.
Born as Elaine Fortson on December 6, 1947, in Chattanooga, Hutto-Cooper was the youngest of nine siblings in the Fortson family. She was the only sibling who did not have the opportunity to know her father, who passed away before her birth. Her identity and values were significantly shaped by her mother, Sallie Mae Jarvis Fortson, who raised all nine children to value education and hard work.
Throughout her life, Hutto-Cooper frequently honored her mother’s legacy and the collective sacrifices made by Black Southern women during a tumultuous era. All of Sallie Mae’s children completed high school, with some becoming registered nurses and others serving in the military or graduating from college. Hutto-Cooper’s own academic journey began at East 5th Street Elementary School, where she thrived under the leadership of James Jenkins. She later credited a mentor known as “Ms. Bee” for encouraging her passion for tennis at the Lincoln Park Recreation Center, a meaningful space for the Black community during the Jim Crow era.”
Hutto-Cooper had a formative education at the New Monumental Baptist Church, where influential figures like Rev. C.T. Vivian shaped the spiritual landscape during her upbringing. She played a vital role in the civil rights movement by helping to integrate the bus system in Chattanooga during her junior year of high school. Her commitment to education culminated in her graduation as valedictorian of the Riverside Class of 1965.
In 1965, she enrolled at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University), coinciding with significant civil rights events. In early 1967, Hutto-Cooper was present at Ebenezer Baptist Church, hearing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak against the Vietnam War. Following King’s untimely death in 1968, she participated in the emotional procession behind his horse-drawn carriage in Atlanta.
After graduating with her degree in 1969, Hutto-Cooper settled into her role as an educator in the Chattanooga City School System before moving back to Atlanta in the early 1970s. Upon her return, she got married and had two sons: the late Harold Winston Hutto and Jonathan Wesley Hutto, Sr. For many years, Hutto-Cooper was a devoted stay-at-home mom, nurturing her family until the mid-1980s, when she transitioned into adult education and real estate, founding her own company, J. Fortson Realty.
Throughout her life, Hutto-Cooper maintained strong ties to her hometown of Chattanooga, frequently returning to support her family and community. She instilled values of compassion and service in her sons, emphasizing the importance of uplifting others. Hutto-Cooper is survived by her son, Jonathan; daughter-in-law, Yolanda; two grandchildren, Jonathan W. Hutto, II and Nadira H. Hutto; two sisters, Sarah and Mary; and numerous nieces, nephews, and colleagues.
In honor of her impactful life and contributions, a celebration of Hutto-Cooper’s legacy will be held on Saturday, June 14, at 3 p.m. at the John P. Franklin Funeral Home in Chattanooga. Family, friends, and community members are expected to gather to reflect and remember the profound influence she had on countless lives.
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Additional Resources
- Chattanoogan: Jacqueline Hutto-Cooper
- Wikipedia: Civil Rights Movement
- Chattanoogan: Gladys J. Lincoln
- Google Search: Jacqueline Hutto-Cooper
- Chattanoogan: Guthrie Joseph William
- Google Scholar: Civil Rights Education
- Chattanoogan: Elmore Bettye Carden
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacqueline Hutto-Cooper
- Chattanoogan: Wilmoth Harold E. Duck
- Google News: Chattanooga Civil Rights
