NASHVILLE, Tenn — It was a surprise honor for a Memphis lawmaker Wednesday at the Tennessee House in Nashville.
State Representative Barbara Cooper (D-TN District 86) was honored as the oldest serving Legislator in Tennessee recorded history at 92-years-old.
She is also the second oldest state legislator currently serving in the entire country, and the oldest serving Democrat. Cooper has served in more than a quarter-century in the state house and was honored as Legislator of the Year in 2011.
Dr. Cooper attended Manassas High School in Memphis, received a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree from Tennessee State University, and she got her Doctorate of Religious Philosophy from Jacksonville Theological Seminary.
In a news release, Cooper said she appreciated the honor, saying: “I’m not one for big surprises. I don’t make a lot of noise… other than when you cross the line… but I just want thank my colleagues and say that I love serving my District.”
She is currently running for re-election this year.
