RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that the members of this chamber learned of the departure of Geneva McKinley Flowers on April 13th, 2017; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of her passing by the Honorable Emma Mitts, Alderman of the 37th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 28th, 1924 in Grantham, North Carolina, Geneva Flowers, third of thirteen children, was the adored daughter of James and Eva McKinley. She attended the Wayne County Public Schools, Raynor's Mill School in Graham, North Carolina and Carver High School in Mt. Olive, North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, She joined St. Mark Free Will Baptist Church at an early age. Geneva, affectionately known to all as "Ginny", was a part of the choir, the Pastor's Aid Club, Home Missions Board, and the "Just We Girls Club," which helped raise funds to fulfill the needs of the church. In her past time, Geneva enjoyed baking and working in her yard; and
WHEREAS, Left to cherish her life and her memories are her children, Deroy Flowers, Jr. (Lillie), Jimmy Flowers, Delores Flowers Porter, Linda J. Flowers Williams (Ronald), Deborah Flowers Royall, and Carolyn G. Jones; brothers, Daniel Robert McKinley (Velma) Dudley, Carlton McKinley (Julia), Jesse F. McKinley (Burnetta), George C. McKinley (Cindy); sister, Mildred M. Parks (Eugene); grandchildren, LTC D. Michael Flowers (Anita), Dr. Jamal R. Flowers, DDS. (Tiffany), Monique Porter Johnson (Kionne), Kareem A. Williams, Sophia Flowers Lewison (Peter), Ashley Royall Sakyi (Justice), Brittany Royall; greatgrandchildren, Chloe' Flowers Augustus, Malia Flowers, Layla Flowers, Vanessa Williams, Ashlynn Johnson, Brielynn Johnson, Lilian Flowers, Justice Skyi, Jr.; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, treasured friends,, especially her loving and compassionate neighbor, Mrs. Pauline Tate; and
WHEREAS, Geneva McKinley Flowers was preceded in death by her husband, Deroy Flowers, Sr. and her siblings, Eunice McKinley Williams, Edna Odell McKinley Thompson, Josephine McKinley Bagley, Hilda McKinley Byoune, Helen McKinley Holloway, James McKinley, Jr., and Johnnie Belle McKinley; and
WHEREAS, Geneva touched the lives of all who knew her through her kindness, generosity, and spirit. She will be deeply missed, but the memory of her character, intelligence, and compassion will live on in those who knew and loved her; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-fourth day of May, 2017, do hereby express our sorrow on the passing of Geneva McKinley Flowers and extend to her family our sincere condolences.