Michael Elliot Whitehead

Michael Elliot Whitehead, the son of the late Carolyn Whitehead and Leonard Cooper, affectionately known as Mike, was born on April 1, 1964, in Chicago Illinois. He was one of seven children. Michael attended John P. Altgeld Elementary School as well as William Rainey Harper High School.

Michael gave his life to Christ and joined Bibleway Ministries in Chicago, Illinois, under the pastorate of the Reverend Coty in 1997.

Michael was united in Holy Matrimony to Cassandra Hargrave on January 28, 1995 and to this union two beautiful daughters were born, Whitney Michelle and Jozlyn Renee’.

Michael worked at The University of Chicago from 1987 until his retirement in 2020.

Michael was a kind person always willing to help his fellow neighbor, often you could catch Michael shoveling the snow for all his neighbors or giving the neighborhood children ice cream on a hot summer day. Who could forget Karaoke Thursdays at the Whitehead residence, where some of his co-workers, Calvin and Tom and best friend Derrick (weasel) Moore, would come by and join in. Lastly, everyone knew Michael had a sense of humor, so let's finish the quote: “Each One Teach One, and” fill in the blank.

Michael started traveling early in life, visiting local places like Rockford, Kentucky and Flint, Michigan, but it wasn’t until later that he traveled abroad to Havasu, Arizona. He visited Las Vegas twice before he decided to become a resident, and his last trip was on May 15, 2019 to Dominican Republic Cabo.

Michael departed this life on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson, Nevada.

He leaves to celebrate and cherish his memory, two daughters Whitney Michelle Cousinard of Henderson, NV and Jozlyn Renee’ Williams (Farrell) of Las Vegas, NV; five grandchildren Robert T. Cousinard II, Brynden T. Cousinard, Elijah I. Cousinard, Wisdom A.G. Cousinard and Julia L.N. Williams; two sisters Bridget Hampton and Vanessa Jackson (William); four brothers Milton (Spanky) Hampton, Leonard (Pookie) Whitehead, Derrick Whitehead and Vincent Jones, all of Chicago, Illinois; son-in-law Robert Cousinard I; seven sisters-in-law Regina Bradford, Brenda Alexander, Magdalene (Maggie) Chapman, Wanda (Pe-wee) Hargrave, Veda Collins, Mary Starks, and Rachel Jones; four brothers-in-law of which two preceded him in death (Ronald and Donald), William Starks and Ricky Collins; aunt Deloris Robb of South Carolina; uncle Melvin Hampton of Winston Salem, South Carolina; stepfather Eugene Smith and stepmother Johnny Bell Cooper; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.