Ivies Beyond the Wall

Jimmie Cooper

A graduate of Governor’s State University, Jimmie was initiated into Lambda Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha in the fall of 1995. Jimmie moved to Fairview Heights from Chicago in 1998, and she immediately sought sisterhood with a local chapter, after being active in the Chicago area chapters of Lambda Mu Omega and Lambda Tau Omega. Her gentle, gracious nature coupled with her experience in the sorority, shortly revealed her leadership skill in our chapter’s membership. Recently retired when she moved to our area, Jimmie’s successful fifteen years of professional experience as former Director of Special Events for the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation in Washington, D.C., Nashville, TN, and Chicago, IL, validated her ample proficiency in community service.

Her creativity, attention to details, and natural ability to energize those around her enabled her not only to continue but also to enhance the fundraising and community service programs begun by the chapter’s charter members. Serving Upsilon Phi Omega Chapter as its Parliamentarian and Chairman of Bylaws Committee for two terms, she efficiently led the Chapter in a significant, yet amiable bylaws’ revision. As Chairman of our Black Family Committee, she directed our Black Family Picnic 2000, area Coat Day collection, and Buckle Up for Safety Drive. The chapter flourished under her Fundraising Committee Chairmanship during its tremendously successful second Annual Scholarship Dance and Memorial Day Weekend Barbecue Fundraisers in 1999 and 2000. In addition, always concerned for the welfare of women and their continuing education, Jimmie chaired a community education financial planning workshop, “Women and Investing.”

Jimmie’s dedication to service did not end with the sorority. Despite her continuing personal battle with Lupus, Jimmie was a tireless volunteer for the Illinois Lupus Foundation, volunteer instructor for AARP’s 55 Alive Mature Driving Program, election judge for Collinsville, Illinois’ 16th Voter Precinct, and a charter member of Glen Carbon-Edwardsville, Illinois American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was a woman who could not ignore the needs of others and who continued to make and meet unselfish commitments, despite the frequently exhausting physical costs to her. These things she did—with poise and joy.

Maxine Kimborough

Most everyone here has knowledge of Maxine Kimbrough’s life: her hometown East St. Louis; her mother, aunt and brother, son, step- sons, “daughter,” grandchildren, and her beloved Eddie; her school days; her spiritual legacy and her commitment to family and friends. Maxine has left an indelible mark on all of us whose lives she touched.

But we the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, want you to know better the AKA life she so elegantly and tirelessly lived. Maxine Parks Kimbrough became a member of this Sisterhood on May 31, 1998, joining the Upsilon Phi Omega Chapter in Madison County, Illinois. Her active membership never flagged. The Resolution just read has already listed the offices she held and the committees on which she selflessly served. However, we want you to know about the “Service to All Mankind,” AKA’s motto, which she performed without complaint.

Maxi never missed an AKA Day at the Capital, a Regional Conference, a Founders’ Day Observance, or a Boule (our national conference) if possible. Those are events for which we dress up and look especially fine. She usually made heads turn with her meticulous, feminine, sassy attire. Actually, that’s how she gained the nickname Tina (as in Tina Turner). However, Maxine was not just a dressed-up AKA. She worked, and she worked hard. She was on the trail for the Lupus Walks, serving and comforting at the nursing home visits, and bundled up for the annual fall Coat and Food Drives, regardless how cold her hands got. She would energetically set-up and tear-down, clean-up and organize. She was committed to community service and to the mission of our Sisterhood. These are the things about this AKA we want you to know. She was my Roomie for 20 years and our Maxi. We are blessed to have called her Soror.

Patricia Penelton

Edwardsville (Madison County), IL- Patricia ("Patti") Ann Jones Penelton, 73, charter member and first president of Upsilon Phi Omega Chapter became an Ivy Beyond the Wall on July 10, 2019. Patricia Penelton was initiated into Delta Delta Omega Chapter in fall, 1986. A lifelong resident of Edwardsville, she earned her BS and MS degrees in Speech Pathology and Audiology and Special Education from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. In 1950 Patricia, age four, was in first kindergarten class in Edwardsville. It was also the initial year of integration (kindergarten and high school) in Edwardsville, Illinois's public schools where Patricia paternal grandfather, Prof. Christopher Columbus Jones had served as principal of the historic Lincoln School (school for Negro children) from 1902 until 1950-48 years. In 2002 Patricia retired from Edwardsville schools, 100 years after her grandfather first went to Edwardsville, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by "Bill" (Carl William) Penelton, her husband for over 49 years, her parents Ray and Mary Jones, and her eldest sister Mrs. Frances Nelson. Patricia is survived by her son, Michael A. Penelton; daughter, Dr. Karyle L. Penelton; daughter-in-law, Triveece Harvey Penelton; and younger sisters, Golden Gloria Jones Dickerson and Golden Nola Jones Williams. Patricia was the middle child of the five Jones Girls. The second born sister, Mrs. Geraldine "Gerri" Freeman died five weeks after her.

Mary Nicholson

Mary Luegenia Lyons Nicholson was born on May 16, 1946 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Pauline Barbee Lyons and Lewis Russel Lyons. She was a doted on only child. Jeanie, as she was called by family, grew up in East Saint Louis, Illinois. 

Jeanie attended Alta Sita Elementary School. She excelled and graduated from East St Louis High School in 1964 before beginning her collegiate career at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. While there she met and later married Herbert Eugene “Gene” Nicholson on February 3, 1968. The newlyweds began their life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was stationed during the Vietnam War.

In 1980, Mary and Herb moved to Deerfield, Illinois. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University while working full time and raising her children. She was a former substitute teacher for Zion, IL, as well as a retired Secretary for Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. She joined St. Paul AME Church and the North Shore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. On the North Shore, she built life-long friendships with the Birthday Divas and Sister Girlfriends.

Mary was a valued, active member and leader of the organizations she joined. In 1991, she became a member of Top Ladies of Distinction- North Shore (IL) Chapter. She was made in the Delta Chi Omega Chapter (Evanston, IL) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1996. She later served as Basileus, Anti-Basileus, and Courtesy Chair of Upsilon Phi Omega (Edwardsville, IL), and became a Lifetime Member. Her service as Teen Advisor for Top Ladies of Distinction and Jack and Jill, church and as an educator stood out. TLOD and Jack and Jill teens won state, local, and national awards under her guidance. She spoke life over young people and celebrated their unique talents even into adulthood.