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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF DEBRA S. PARRISH-HOOKS, Ed.D.
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called a profoundly giving and a deeply beloved woman, Debra S. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D., from our midst; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. earned a master's degree in Clinical Counseling from Pepperdine University, a master's degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from National Louis University, and
WHEREAS, as a servant and leader, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. sought higher education which, in particular, would prepare her to have the most significant impact upon students' academic lives, and which would allow her to enrich the lives of individuals, families and communities; and
WHEREAS, for over 30 years, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. dedicated herself to the field of education, working as a teacher, counselor, psychologist and administrator in a variety of settings, including rural, urban and suburban; and
WHEREAS, at the time of her death, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. had been serving, since 2011, as Executive Director of ECHO Joint Agreement, a south-suburban-based, special-education cooperative which serves 17 school districts; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. also served as an adjunct instructor for Lewis University in 2004 and for National Louis University in 2009; additionally, she provided professional workshops for many years; and
WHEREAS, of the many professional presentations which she delivered, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. was most proud of those given at the American Education Research Association Conference in New York in 2008 and the International Sociological Association in Barcelona, Spain in September of 2008; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. was very proud to be affiliated with the following organizations: South Suburban Chicago Chapter of Links Incorporated (for which she served as Arts Chair); Governors State University Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park; the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development; and the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. met her husband, The Honorable Judge William Hooks, while both were college students at DePaul University in Chicago; their marriage continued to blossom for over 39 years; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. was a devoted mother, wife, grandmother and daughter; her family brought her immense joy; nurturing her daughters, in particular, was her passion; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. was a very emotionally giving person to her friends and family; she never lost her concern about the well-being of those around her, even as she suffered and neared death; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. was known as a highly ethical individual; she held her friends, family and colleagues to the same high standards; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. will be remembered in all of the hearts of those individuals whom she touched and loved; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. leaves to mourn her passing her husband, The Honorable Judge William Hooks; mother, Grace C. Parrish; daughters, Mariah S. LeBlanc (Andrew J.) and Ashley Hooks Williams (Kyle T.); grandchildren, Hooks C. and Xavier M. LeBlanc; and extended family and friends, all of whom who loved her deeply.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Board of Commissioners of Cook County do hereby offer their deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family and many friends of Debra S. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D. and join them in sorrow at this time of profound loss, and may and a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of Debra S. Parrish-Hooks, Ed.D., that her memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
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