MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF MOTHER MAEBELLE MCFADDEN
WHEREAS, On April 7, 2021, Mother MaeBelle McFadden, loving mother, grandmother, friend, and woman of God, left this world with grace and peace to enter her new home after 73 years; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of MaeBelle's passing by the Honorable Stephanie Coleman, Alderman of the 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle was born on June 14, 1947, in Moro, Arkansas, to the late Julius and MaeWill McFadden, or, as they were affectionately known, Dig. and Ma'dea; and
WHEREAS, The third of 11 children, MaeBelle and her older siblings all had jobs - MaeBelle's job was to delegate the jobs in the field; she took great pride in her duties; and
WHEREAS, When not working in the fields, MaeBelle attended Ana Strong Elementary School, which was held inside of a church, and Ana Strong High School, from which she graduated in 1966; at the age of 18, MaeBelle left home and headed to the big city, Chicago, to help care for her niece - her big sister Ina's daughter; and
WHEREAS, After living in Chicago for a time, MaeBelle found that she loved the City and decided it was where she wanted to stay; she got a job at a hospital as a medical lab technician, where she worked for 21 years; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle gave birth to her only daughter, Monica, whom she called "Monnie", in 1977; MaeBelle was devastated when Monica's father passed away two years after she was born, but MaeBelle pressed on, determined to give her child the world; she was still working at the hospital, but was soon told the hospital was closing and being torn down; however, even as an unemployed, single mother, MaeBelle trusted in God, and did not give up; and
WHEREAS, In 1979, MaeBelle joined Cavalry Temple Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Reddie G. Moore, Sr. - it was there that MaeBelle's relationship with the Lord was built and her love for the word of God was born; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle loved attending Thursday night prayer meetings, Sunday morning Sunday School and Morning Worship; she joined the church's Usher Board, where she was a member for several years, and was appointed President in 1990; she severed as President for 11 years, and under her leadership the board raised thousands of dollars by selling chicken, fish, and rib dinners, and hosting Tom-Thumb weddings; and
WHEREAS, In 2002, the Lord led MaeBelle to New Faith Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Randolph Howard; MaeBelle was a faithful member of the church, and was placed on the Mother's Board where she served as Secretary; she was also a part of the Uniform Committee; the church was so good to her that she attended all three services, and sometimes four, every Sunday; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle loved her neighbors and they loved her too; she fostered children in her home for 20 years, providing a place of safety, comfort, and love; she was also president of her local block club, and spearheaded the yearly block club parties in her neighborhood, ensuring that the children of her neighborhood always had school supplies upon returning to school; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle has sat with many families from her church and consoled them as they grieved their loved ones; it did not matter to her if she knew the families personally or not, she wanted them to know that a Mother cared, and she did; and
WHEREAS, A selfless caretaker, MaeBelle checked in on the sick and convalescent, even when she was ill herself, and has worked with numerous groups representing seniors and advocating for children; there are not enough words in the world to adequately describe all of the things MaeBelle has done or all of the lives she has touched; everything the Lord gave her, she gave out; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle was ill for some time, but even in sickness, she saw the goodness of the Lord; she was placed on life support in 2011 and the doctors were unsure if she would make it, but God extended her life and gave her 10 more years; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle joins in death her parents; her two oldest sisters, Juanita Jones and Ina Mae Downey; and her younger brother, Fred McFadden; and
WHEREAS, MaeBelle's legacy lives on through her only child, Monica S. McFadden; her six siblings, Marvellia (Kennis) Key, Verlena (Johnny) Robinson; James (Helen) McFadden, Ruby McFadden, Rosland (James) Ricks, and Julie (Stephen) Glaze; her two beautiful grandchildren, Mekhiah and Malachi; her wonderful nieces, grand-nieces, nephews, and grand-nephews; her eight Godchildren, Reggie, Sparkle, Kenny O., Terry, Jamie, Kenny, Jr., Jordan, and Shawnte; her many play daughters and sons; her best friend of over 50 years, Catherine Fowler; her very good friend Bertha Curtis; and a host of other family and friends; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-third day of June, 2021, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mother MaeBelle McFadden; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Mother MaeBelle McFadden as a sign of our honor and respect.
