RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Mrs. Martha Ann (Gibbs) Melton was born August 7, 1914 to Charles and Channie Gibbs. Martha is the youngest and only daughter of three siblings born to Poppa Charles and Channie. Her older brothers, Scott and middle brother Tim are smiling down on her from heaven. She has one younger sister, Mary Alice (Melton) Williams of Chicago, IL, born many years later to Poppa Charles and Lucy Melton, will join in the 100th birthday celebration; and
WHEREAS, After becoming a grandmother, Martha has been affectionately addressed as Granny by all who know and love her. She is a proud grandmother with 32 grandchildren, and a host of great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Martha Ann, an enthusiastic, active, much loved resident of Chicago's great 28th Ward community with a zest for living life, will celebrate her 100th birthday on August 7, 2014, thereby reaching a milestone few are fortunate to achieve; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of this prestigious occasion by the Honorable Jason Ervm., Alderman of the 28th Ward-; and
WHEREAS, As a young woman, Martha Ann was mother to 5 children, the late Channie (Gibbs) Randle, Sallie (Collins) Sellars, Isaac Melton, Jr., Amos Melton, and Clarence Melton. Her husbands from previous marriages were the late Willie James Collins and the late Isaac Melton, Sr. She held a variety of jobs while living in West Point, ranging from day work at various homes to Bryan Bros. Packing Company, Swift and Company, working as a dry cleaning attendant, and later as a salesperson for American Burial Insurance Company; and
WHEREAS, In her senior years, Granny became ill and moved to Chicago to be cared for by her daughter, Sallie. Her church, Union Star Baptist honored her transition with a letter for membership to Greater Garfield Park Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago where she serves faithfully with an occasional "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" song during the service which is always welcomed by Reverend George Henderson and where she continues to serve as the senior member on the Mother's Board; and
WHEREAS, Cherished daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother, a friend of many and good neighbor to all, Martha Ann richly deserves the warm and fond wishes of her family members and friends as she marks her 100th birthday; and
WHEREAS, Cognizant of the history to which Mrs. Martha Ann Melton has both witnessed and contributed, the Chicago City Council believes that Martha is richly deserving of the adulation and good wishes she is offered as she celebrates entering her one hundredth year; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here this thirtieth day of July 2014, do hereby extend our deepest wishes for the happiest 100th birthday