Funeral Service For BET's Teen Summit Host, A.J. Cooper Was Held Tuesday

MStars News has learned that former BET Teen Summit host, AJ Cooper, was laid to rest on Tuesday Dec. 9. The Ward 4 City Council candidate died last week after suffering from a heart-attack.

The 34-year-old's mother, Brenda Rhodes Miller, confirmed the news that her son passed away "suddenly" on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Cooper's "Elect AJ Cooper" Facebook page statement said:

"Algernon ("Jay") Cooper, III passed suddenly and unexpectedly this morning after complaining about chest pain and dizziness. The son of A. J. Cooper, Jr. and Brenda Rhodes Miller, Cooper had recently announced his intent to run for the Ward 4 City Council seat that will be vacated by Mayor-elect Muriel Bowser.

Born and raised in Washington, Cooper graduated from Roosevelt HS and the University of Maryland. He served as Policy Director for D.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

Cooper had just become engaged to Miss Ryan Palmer over the Thanksgiving holiday. He was excited about beginning a life with Ryan and being more involved in the life of the city.

He was loved by many and will be truly missed."

A memorial was held earlier this week as friends, family and supporters celebrated the life of AJ Cooper.

Cooper's obituary read:

"ALGERNON JOHNSON COOPER, III  "Jay"
Died suddenly and unexpectedly on December 3, 2014. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at Nativity Catholic Church, 6001 13th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20011 beginning with family visitation at 10 a.m.; followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. The family requests, in lieu of flowers or cards, contributions be made in Jay's honor to DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 1112 11th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20001, www.dccampaign.org. Arrangements by McGUIRE."

 Jay Cooper - 1980 - 2014 Politician, BET Teen Summit Host, Model, Revolutionary, Visionary, King I am Thankful to Have Worked with My Friend Jay Twice - as Interns of Bille Woodruff, Director of the Films "Addicted" & "Drumline 2" in Los Angeles & as Cast Members of BET'S Teen Summit. Thank You Lord for the Life of Jay Cooper

A photo posted by @thenextlangstonhughes on Dec 12, 2014 at 10:11am PST

Some of Cooper's last words during a rally held Dec. 1 were: "We need to turn all of this enegry, all of this passion, all of this pain, into power, into something positive, into real change that will improve outcomes in people's lives...let that burning feeling in your gut be the fuel to power a movement. Otherwise when the smoke clears all we will have left are tears and ashes."

Today was my childhood friend's funeral. This quote was one of his final posts on Facebook last week. Although today was a sad day, I'm happy to have known him. More importantly I'm proud of the person that he became, the life he lived and the things he accomplished. His short yet inspiring life reminds me how important it is to make each day count. #rip #ripjaycooper #jaycooper #ajcooper #dc A photo posted by N. New (@nnewcloset) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:53pm PST

Life is so fragile, no one is promised tomorrow. You were the future of DC and a man of the people. I knew you for 15 years, from Dreads to the Baldhead and as a matter of fact we lost our hair around the same time. @ajcooperdc I pray for your family and hope your legacy will be carried on through the youth of the city #RIPCoop #Ward4 #Petworth #DCorNothing #DCRising #GoneTooSoon A photo posted by Spencer Colbert (@blackradiohead) on Dec 12, 2014 at 11:20am PST

R.I.P. Coop!