MOTHER PRISCILLA LANIER
WHEREAS, God in His Infinite Wisdom called Mother Priscilla Lanier, most beloved citizen, to her eternal reward on January 28, 2019; and
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of her passing by the Honorable Toni Foulkes, Alderman of the 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Born on April 26, 2019 in Uniontown, Alabama, Priscilla Lanier was the beloved daughter to the late Reverend Arthur and the late Millie Linear. In this union, seventeen children were nurtured and raised in a wholesome family environment; and
WHEREAS, Priscilla Lanier accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at the tender age of seven and was baptized by her father, Reverend Arthur Linear Sr. She ritually and joyfully attended church on Sunday to study and receive the word of God. She especially took delight in her favorite hymns, "Work Until my Days Are Done" and "What A Blessing in Jesus I have found"; and
WHEREAS, At the age of seventeen, Priscilla Lanier migrated from Mississippi to Chicago to live with her sister, Willie Jacobs. In Chicago, she met and married Andrew Harden, and to this union was blessed with a beautiful daughter they lovingly named, Delores. Both her husband and daughter preceded her in death; and
WHEREAS, Priscilla Lanier began her working life as clock fabricator in a Chicago factory. She later transitioned and honed her skills to become an expert shirt presser, a job she maintained until her retirement; and
WHEREAS, Priscilla Lanier began her fellowship at Shiloh Baptist Church. She later joined Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of her sister, Reverend Georgia Mangam. While there, she served as the pianist. After the passing of her sister, Priscilla decided to become a member of Sunrise Full Gospel Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor David Ballard, Sr. She faithfully served in the Women's Ministry and the Mother's Ministry of the church. She remained devoted to having a constant presence in the parish until failing health kept her from attending regularly; and
WHEREAS, Priscilla Lanier always demonstrated a zeal for life. In addition to her work, her dedication to the churches she attended in Chicago, she also thoroughly enjoyed traveling and taking advantage of the city's many cultural events, such as live theater; and
WHEREAS, Priscilla Lanier consistently led a joyful, peaceful, and victorious life. She often stated that it is more important to listen than to talk, and that a person is certain to learn far more from listening to others than talking to them. Having said that, she was know to frequently give advice and share her many pearls of wisdom with those in her life; and
WHEREAS, Priscilla Lanier leaves precious memories in the hearts of her nieces, Ophelia Crittenden and Addie Dampier-Barnes; her special friend, Lillian McClendon; her many extended family and treasured friends; and especially, her Sunrise family; and
WHEREAS, Priscilla Lanier has touched the lives of all who knew her through her unconditional love and positive energy. She will be deeply missed, but the memory of her character 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 Chicago, assembled this thirteenth day of March, 2019, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Priscilla Lanier; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution will be presented to the family of
Priscilla Lanier as a sign of our sympathy and respect.
