RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, James William Meeks has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 90; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of South Holland, James William Meeks was the loving husband of Esther; and
WHEREAS, James William Meeks was the much-adored father of the Reverend James T., Annie, Delores and William, the grandfather of ten, the great-grandfather of fifteen and the great-great grandfather of one to whom he imparted many of the fine and noble qualities that he possessed in abundance; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Carrollton, Mississippi, James William Meeks moved north to Chicago to join relatives in the early 1950s; and
WHEREAS, James William Meeks worked for Kentile Floors as a forklift operator from 1952 to 1992; and
WHEREAS, James William Meeks became a Deacon in 1957 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church and is credited with encouraging the Reverend James T. to become a preacher; and
WHEREAS, James William Meeks served as a Deacon at the Salem Baptist Church, founded by his namesake son; and
WHEREAS, Salem Baptist Church has grown over the years to become the largest African-American church in Illinois with 15,000 members; and
WHEREAS, The hard work, sacrifice and dedication of James William Meeks serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, James William Meeks was an individual of great integrity and accomplishment who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his beloved family, James William Meeks imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this seventeenth day of January, 2018, do hereby commemorate James William Meeks for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of James William Meeks.