Legislation Details

Record #: R2021-1112   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 10/14/2021 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 10/14/2021
Title: Tribute to late Melva Dean Lewis Robinson
Sponsors: Rodriguez, Michael D.
Attachments: 1. R2021-1112.pdf

MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING MELVA DEAN LEWIS ROBINSON

WHEREAS, Melva Dean Lewis Robinson, amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and matriarch, was called to rest on Saturday, July 3, 2021; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Melva's passing by the Honorable Michael D. Rodriguez, Alderman of the 22nd Ward; and

WHEREAS, Melva Dean Lewis was born August 11,1944, in Clarence, Louisiana and was raised in the Shreveport area; she was the youngest of seven children bom to Mattie (Payton) Lewis and Sam Lewis, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Melva and her family were sharecroppers living on a farm, harvesting vegetables, peaches, figs, cotton, and soybeans and also raising chickens, turkeys, hogs, and pigs; and

WHEREAS, After her father passed away, Melva moved to Chicago when she was nine years old with her younger brother, Isaac, and their mother; and

WHEREAS, Melva's early education included Greenville Elementary School in Louisiana and Hess School and Farragut H.S. in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Baptized at an early age, Melva joined the Beautiful Zion Missionary Baptist Church in 1962 under the leadership of the late Pastor M.J. Richards and was a faithful and active member of the Church until her retirement to the Mother's Board; and

WHEREAS, Melva believed in serving wherever she was needed and served in several ministries: Young Adult Choir, Usher's Board, Baptist Training Union, Missionary President, Sunday School Teacher, Christian Education Director, Director for the Winter Prayer Breakfast, Coordinator of Baptismal, Women's Day Speaker, Pastor's Aid, and Trustee; she was also inducted into the Church's Hall of Fame and founded "Down Home Sunday" - while she held many titles, she was a willingly working servant, and she never waited for someone else to do the work; and

WHEREAS, Melva worked at the Wilson & Jones company for a brief period before she met and married the late Rev. Eugene Cherry; to this union were born two sons: Eugene and Gregory; and

WHEREAS, After Melva became a single parent, she met Louis E. Robinson; on October 14, 1967, Melva and Louis were united in holy matrimony and to this union was born her only daughter, Sonja; and

 

WHEREAS, Melva attended Debbie Beauty Cultural cosmetology school where she met Mr. Curtis Singletary, whom she joined at his Tiki Beauty Salon in the spring of 1971 where she remained the only female stylist during most of her 37-year tenure and retired in 2007; as she perfected her craft as a stylist and became known as "Lady Mel" to her clients, Melva was also the salon's personal model and she entered several hair shows on her days off work; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, Melva and her family relocated from Chicago's west side to the LeClaire Hearst Community where the family remains today; she was an active member of the 4600 South LeClaire Ave. Block Club; and

 

 

WHEREAS, Along with the other Block Club activities, Melva and her family always ensured that the fall leaves were raked, bagged, and disposed, and in the winter that snow was removed from front walkways; and

WHEREAS, With the loving support of her family, Melva's spirit persevered through her diagnosis of dementia - on Mother's Day, at her final. Sunday fellowship with her family at Beautiful Zion, everyone in attendance recognized how she was moved and filled with the Holy Spirit during the entire service as she remained on her feet, sang, and preached the word; and

 

WHEREAS, Affectionately known as Mel, Aunt Mel, Granny, Grandma, and GG to her family, Melva was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Mamie, Sam, Isabelle, Alvin, and Ada; her husband, Rev. Eugene Cherry; and her two sons, Eugene and Gregory; she leaves to cherish her memory: a loving and dedicated husband, Louis Edward Robinson; daughter, Sonja Mendenhall of San Leandro, CA; a bonus son, Louis (Eris Robles) Gage of Chicago; two bonus daughters and their families, Brenda (Clarence) Beene of Haynesville, Louisiana and Robin Robinson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Ashley D. Lowery, Christian B. (Samantha D) Alston, Samantha F. Mendenhall, Gene Gage, Adylene Gage Robles, Abril Gage Robles; eight great-grandchildren, Jaleri L. Smith, Janel M. Smith, Parker M.A. Alston, Danell S. Ross, Adonis Gage, Donell Ross III, Alonzo Gage, and Kehlani E. Moore; brother, Isaac Lewis; two bonus nephews, Robert Lewis, Derrick Lewis and bonus niece/daughter Minister Cynthia Pendleton; a special adopted family, Cory and Natalie Williams and their children; five sisters-in-law and their families: Bobbie J (Odell) Simpson, Katherine George, Arma J (Morse) Brown, Clara George, and Neva George; a brother-in-law, Jimmy (Mary) Williams; a host of other relatives, friends, the 4600 block of South LeClaire Ave., and a Church family who loved her dearly; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here this fourteenth day of October, 2021, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Melva Dean Lewis Robinson; and

Alderman, 22nd Ward

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Melva Dean Lewis Robinson as a sign of our honor and respect,