WHEREAS, the members of this Chamber were deeply saddened to learn of the death on March 21, 2017, at age 93, of Beatrice Martin, a respected citizen and friend of her community; and
WHEREAS, a devoted wife, beloved mother, and cherished grandmother, Beatrice Martin was born September 29, 1923 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi; and.
WHEREAS, it was in Hazlehurst that Beatrice met and fell in love with Freddie J. Martin; and
WHEREAS, they were married on March 31, 1946 in Jackson, Mississippi and began their family not long after, going on to have eleven children and enjoying 69 years of marriage; and
WHEREAS, in November 1953, Beatrice made her way to Chicago with her growing family in search of better opportunity and built a stellar career in the retail industry; and
WHEREAS, a devout woman of faith, Beatrice joined the city's historic Pilgrim Baptist Church in 1960 where she served as deaconess and held memberships in various groups for 57 years; and
WHEREAS, in 1973, Beatrice and her family were among the first African American residents to integrate the Burnside neighborhood when they purchased a home on the 9100 block of South Woodlawn Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Beatrice will be deeply missed. She was a good neighbor and loyal friend to all who knew her, and will always be remembered as a true pillar and steward of the community; and
WHEREAS, Beatrice Martin, a 63-year resident of the City of Chicago and 44-year-resident of the 8th Ward leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that includes 16 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 29th day of March, 2017, do hereby honor the life and recognize the contributions of Beatrice Martin, and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family; and
Alderman, 8th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of Beatrice Martin as a sign of our sympathies and good wishes.