MEMORIAL RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, God in His Infinite Wisdom has called Clematine Summerville, most beloved citizen, to her eternal reward on October 1, 2014; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of her passing by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Clematine, lovingly known as Tina, was born on April 30, 1935 in Hayti, Missour. She was the third of nine children born to the union of the late Flariard L. Anderson and Mary L. Adams,; and
WHEREAS, The early years of her life were spent in Missouri, Illinois until the passing of Tina's mother and illness of her father. Tina, along with her six siblings, were welcomed into the loving home of their Aunt Bessie Lee Sims, an educator who taught in the school system in Jonesboro, Arkansas; and
WHEREAS, Tina, a gifted and talented student who excelled in her studies, completed her formal education at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In the fall of 1953 she and her sister relocated to Chicago and later that year Tina, her father and three brothers moved to Pittsville, Wisconsin where she received her high school diploma; and
WHEREAS, ln her pursuits of higher learning, Tina enrolled in various institutions in the Chicagoland area, studying business law, real estate and accounting. She held many professional career positions which included varying degrees of authority, but her greatest endeavor in life was her desire to be a mother; and
WHEREAS, During this time, she married Luther Summerville and during this union, God blessed them with a bouncing, red faced, beautiful baby boy on September 24, 1966 who gave delight to both mother and father. One of her joys was schooling her son, and sharing scriptures from the bible. On one of these instructional occasions she read him a scripture from Ephesians 6:1 "Children obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right" and Shawn's response was "Mother, parents should not provoke their children"; and
WHEREAS, While nurturing her son, Shawn, as a single parent, she instilled the importance of education and the significance of faith and work of God. She expected nothing but the best. All of these endeavors were accomplished by the Grace of God and the tenacity of her drive. She loved to dress elegantly and fashionably, expecting the best of herself encouraging others to strive equally; and
WHEREAS, Tina confessed her hope in Christ at an early age at the Anderson Chapel Baptist Church, and was baptized in the Saint Frances River; She united with New Nazareth M.B.C. in Chicago, under the leadership of the Late Rev. John E. Hopkins, as a faithful and dutiful member of various auxiliaries, exhibiting her numerous talents. In later years, she continued her walk with Christ at Great Metropolitan M.B.C. und the leadership of the late Rev. L. W. Craig. She finished her spiritual walk at Great Canaan M. B. C. under the present leadership of Pastor Leon Thompson
WHEREAS, Tina retired from the City of Chicago in 2001 and with a loving spirit took her into caregiving for several senior members of her family. Through years of medical challenges of her own she never quit, never gave up or lost Faith in her God; and
WHEREAS, Tina leaves to cherish her memories; her devoted son, Shawn Summerville; sisters, Vernita Larry (Walter) and Gloria Bond (Oscar; brothers, Richard Anderson (Irene) and Josephus Anderson; and her real love Jimmy Cotton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; now, therefore
Be It Resolved, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this fifth day of November, 2014 A.D., do hereby commemorate Clematine "Tina" Summerville for her many lifetime contributions and do hereby extend to her family and many friends our sincere condolences.
Be It Further Resolved, that a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Clematine Summerville.
CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward