MEMORIAL RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF PATRICIA NELSON (JONES)
WHEREAS, Patricia Nelson (Jones) was born July 1,1948, the fourth of five children born to the union of Wilbert, Sr., and Beulah Mae Jones. Patricia was raised in a home filled with love and the teaching of God's word. She loved listening to her mother, Beulah Mae's, bible lessons; and
WHEREAS, After her father's passing, her mother married Morris Floyd ("Big Floyd"). Morris entered Patricia's life at an early age, and he and she shared a special bond. She was a God-fearing woman who accepted Christ at a young age and reveled in celebrating God's grace. She loved and enjoyed teaching her own children about the word of God; and
WHEREAS, Patricia, a lifelong proponent of education, was educated in Chicago Public Schools, beginning her educational career at Medill Elementary School, and subsequently graduating from Flower Vocational High School. She was an affable and industrious young person, who enjoyed music and dancing. While a student at Flower Vocational High School she was extremely involved in many different extracurricular activities. After graduation, she moved to Pasadena, California for a brief time; and
WHEREAS, On March 14, 1970, she was joined in Holy Matrimony to Wesley Nelson, Jr., and to this union two children, Shawn and Shivonne, were born. After getting married she and her new husband moved to St. Louis, Missouri, from which they returned in 1973. Except for her brief moves to California and Missouri, Patricia remained a proud lifelong resident of Chicago's West Side; and
WHEREAS, A hard worker throughout her life, Patricia worked in various industries and capacities from banks to Zenith to Ryerson Steel. But she spent most of her professional life helping and serving the people of Chicago, specifically it's senior citizens, as an employee of the City of Chicago's Sewer Department, where she retired from in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Anyone who knew Patricia knew she had three great loves in her life: her children, her home, but most importantly her grandchildren, who she doted over and made sure knew that she loved them with all her heart. She took great pride in keeping her grandchildren, particularly during their formative years, where she would teach them their ABCs, how to count, and taking them on excursions out to eat, or to one of their favorite places, "Wal-Grannies" ; and
WHEREAS, Patricia loved telling stories about things she had seen and people she had met. She had a keen interest in politics, having served as a precinct worker and captain. Her interest in and love of politics was an interest she likely gained from her days as a member of the Student Council in high school. She was proud of being able to witness the election of the nation's first African American President and Vice President and often spoke proudly of her support of candidates for national office; and
WHEREAS, But her favorite topics throughout her life were her children and grandchildren. She loved to laugh and talk about their lives and successes and a special smile came across her face as she talked about the latest thing one of her grandchildren had done; and
WHEREAS, Patricia had many interests; she loved her plants, was an avid reader but mostly she was a fan television shows like Chicago P.D., NCIS and her all-time favorite show, Law & Order. No matter what time of day or night, if you went to her home the television was probably turned to Law & Order; and
WHEREAS, On March 5, 2022, Patricia was called home to be with the Lord, passing away peacefully in her home. She was preceded in death by her parents Wilbert, Sr., Beulah Mae, her Stepfather Morris Floyd, her sister Josephine Moore, and Brother Michael Jones; and
WHEREAS, Patricia leaves to cherish her memory, her children Shawn (Marie) of O'Fallon, Missouri, and Shivonne (Elgie) Sims of Chicago, Illinois; her grandchildren Kennedy, Sydney, Mackenzie, and Spencer; her brother Wilbert, Jr., and sister Bertha (Charles) Anderson both of Chicago, Illinois, sister Dorothy Davis of Memphis, Tennessee, stepbrothers Morris Floyd, Jr., and Gregory Floyd both of Chicago, and a host of aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered her this twenty-third day of March 2022, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Patricia Nelson (Jones); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy ofthis resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Patricia Nelson (Jones) as a sign of our honor and respect.
EMMA MITTS Alderman, 37th Ward