Resolution Honoring the Life & Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Chicago Resident Mrs. JoAnn Turner
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom and judgment continues to show favor by granting a long life to Mrs. JoAnn Turner, a beloved citizen, faithful woman of God and friend, who on the afternoon of Saturday, October 1, 2016 will be honored by family and friends at her 100th birthday celebration; and
WHEREAS, I Alderman Michelle A. Harris, and on behalf of the residents 8th Ward & my fellow colleagues of the Chicago City Council have informed this august body of this significant birthday of Mrs. Turner; and
WHEREAS, History is considered by many to be a very fascinating subject. It is so much more than memorizing dates. It's also about learning and appreciating people who were born long ago. History is literally the story behind the life of each person, every trend, news headline, and major event that is happening right now; and
WHEREAS, On October 3, 1916, Mrs. JoAnn Turner was born in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. One of three children born to Mr. Charles and Mrs. Velma McNeil (nee Sykes), she had two other siblings, sisters: Mrs. Nellie Wakefield-Brown and Ernestine Wakefield (deceased); and
WHEREAS, Educated in the Pittsburg public school system, Mrs. Turner relocated to Chicago with her family in her later teens and attended Cortez Business College. After graduation, she became a faithful employee of the AARCO greeting card company, where she worked for many years as the office manager. Later, she became employed as a bookkeeper at the Illinois Central Hospital, formerly located in the Hyde Park community; and
WHEREAS, Today, Mrs. JoAnn Turner currently lives in an assisted living facility in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. However, she formerly was an actively engaged resident of the 8th Ward for nearly fifty years. She is perhaps best known for her engaging personality, winning smile and the awesome ability to get things done to better her community. A faithful fifty-plus year member of Vernon Park Church, Mrs. Turner was intrinsically involved, over the years, in church programs, activities and ministries. She also served as the longtime block club president of the 8900 block of Cornell, and a staunch volunteer of the CAPS program; and
WHEREAS, Although somewhat physically slowed by the passage of time, both her spirit and mind remains sharp and agile. Mrs. Turner is an avid music lover and civic enthusiast who greatly enjoys watching game shows and interacting with fellow residents over coffee and meals at the facility. While she never formally taught school, she is intuitively an instructor - - about life, work and many other things - - to virtually everyone she meets. Now a widow - - her beloved husband, Melvin Herbert Turner died in the late 1980's, after sweeping her off her feet during nearly sixty years earlier, during a date arranged by friends. Mrs. Turner and her late husband shared several attributes which made their long marital union a loving and successful one: They believed in being kind, generous souls, who enjoyed laughter and believed in living life well; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Turner's favorite colors are lavender, green and yellow and she was widely known and respected in the 8th ward community for her beautiful flower gardens surrounding her home. In many ways, Mrs. Turner's life represents the essence of a true Chicagoan - - active, engaged and always willing to make life better for others; and
Therefore Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and the members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here in assembly this 5th day of October, 2016 A.D., do hereby express our most heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for a wonderful 100th Centennial birthday celebration to Mrs. JoAnn Turner, and extend to her family, friends, neighbors and church members our sincere happiness that she has achieved this great life milestone.
Michelle A. Harris Alderman 8th Ward
Be It Further Resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Ms. JoAnn Turner on the exceptionally wonderful and auspicious occasion of her 100th birthday.
