TRIBUTE TO MINOR J. ALLEN. SR,
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in his infinite wisdom, has called home His good and faithful servant, Minor J. Allen, Sr, on June 11, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Minor Allen made his transition at the age of 81 in his family home. He built an iconic career in the professional food service industry. His contributions to the religious and civic life of this city and this nation were both historic and legendary; and
WHEREAS, Minor Allen served as restaurant manager and meetings/banquets manager at the former McCormick Hotel in Chicago for more than two decades. He was co-owner of the famous Dixie Kitchen Restaurant & Bait Shop when it was located in Hyde Park's Harper Court and was frequented by the 44,h President of the United States Barak Obama who praised it for its good food and reasonable prices. It was the President's opinion that every neighborhood should have a restaurant like it. He was also manager of Rev. Johnnie Coleman's banquet facility on 119th & Loomis as well as the owner of the former Sportsman's Lounge and Deli on 79th & Halsted; and
WHEREAS, Minor Allen was actively dedicated to the Civil Rights Movement, marching with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr when he came to Chicago. He was a member of Dr. King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket and a founding member of Operation PUSH under Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr;
WHEREAS, Minor Allen was just as active in his service to God. He was a founding member of the original St. James Church of God In Christ on West Roosevelt Road in Chicago under the late Bishop Jesse Campbell as well as a founding member of The Sion Temple Church Of God In Christ at the corner of 79th & Wood in Chicago under the leadership of his brother, Elder Delmus Allen, Sr; and
WHEREAS, Minor Allen married his childhood sweetheart from Harrison High School in Blytheville Arkansas. Their 56-year union ended only in her death in February, 2014. He leaves behind to celebrate his life and cherish his memory his two children, Minor Allen Jr, Mark, and Michele as well as two grandchildren, DaNia Allen and Markus Allen; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable Roderick Sawyer, Alderman of the 61" Ward, has apprised this august body of transition of this pillar of the South Side community; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Mayor and members of the City of Chicago City Council gathered together on this 27'h Day of June, 2018 AD, do hereby express our sincerest sorrow upon learning of the passing of Minor J. Allen, Sr. and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those whose lives he touched.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Minor J. Allen, Sr.
RODERICK T. SAWYER Alderman - 6th Ward