RESOJAJTIRN
WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow that the City Council of the City of Chicago learns of the departure of Reverend Cartha McKenzie, Sr. on January 31, 2018; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been notified of his passing by the Honorable Raymond Lopez, Alderman of the 15th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Reverend McKenzie Sr.'s home going services will take place on Saturday, the tenth of February, 2018, at 754 East 77th Street in Chicago, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Cartha was born on the eighth of January, 1931, in Marianna, Arkansas, to Roosevelt Sr. and Lugenia McKenzie, his loving parents; and
WHEREAS, Cartha exhibited a love for the ministry at an early age. In sixth grade, he left school to help on the family farm, where he often held memorial services for dead and dying animals; and
WHEREAS, In 1946, Reverend McKenzie, Sr. moved to Chicago, Illinois. In 1952, he met the love of his life, SamElla "Broadway", who he remained married to for sixty-six years, until his passing; and
WHEREAS, In 1950, Cartha joined the 44Lh Street Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, where he met his friend and mentor, Pastor Elijah Thurston. Thurston immediately took note of McKenzie's love for ministry, eventually ordaining him a deacon and nicknaming him "Mac;" and
WHEREAS, The community grew to love Mac.as he became the voice of the weekly 11:00 p.m. radio broadcast. Whenever parishioners heard Mac say, "I heard the voice of Jesus saying," a sense of calm overtook the community; and
WHEREAS, Deacon McKenzie was also known for his love for music, especially "Trouble in the Land Will Soon Be Over;" and
WHEREAS, In 1959, Deacon McKenzie was licensed and ordained by Reverend John Thurston, Pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, where Mac would eventually become an assistant pastor; and
WHEREAS, In 1973, Cartha McKenzie, Sr. was installed as the Pastor for the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois, where he served for forty-five years; and
WHEREAS, During his time as Pastor, Reverend McKenzie, Sr. provided care and services to inmates in the Cook County Jail and supported non-violent community action to prevent crime. He also supported expansion of All Things Through Christ Outreach Ministries, Inc., a charity founded by his wife, SamElla. The organization services more than 100 families, youth and homeless on a weekly basis; and
WHEREAS, Reverend McKenzie, Sr. expanded the church, as he granted fellowship to 1800 members, ordained and licensed twenty Ministers, crowned eleven Deacons, five Deaconesses and six Jr. Deacons. He has baptized more than 670 candidates and christened more than 145 babies. He has also united more than 200 couples in matrimony; and
WHEREAS, In October, 2017, Reverend Cartha McKenzie, Sr. was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He declined treatment, telling medical professionals that he has been lucky enough to live long past God's promise. He used his remaining time making sure he continued his path of living righteously; and
WHEREAS, Reverend McKenzie, Sr. leaves to cherish his memory; wife, SamElla; children, Carthinal Dawson, Reverend Cartha, Jr. (Deatherine), Rev. Jerry, Sr. (Patricia), Rev. Gwen Sampson (Charles), Rev. Debra, Marilyn, Rev. Dr. Jonathan (Pam), Rev. Jikita, Rev. David, Rev. Jeffrey (Cynthia), Michael Benton and Darlene Benton; forty-three grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Mariah (Isaiah); brother, Willie Ivory Stephens; cousin, Alice; and a host of nieces, nephews and beloved friends; and
WHEREAS, His legacy.will live through his loving family and his kindred and religious spirit will continue in the lives of many; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this twenty-eighth day of February, 2018, do hereby express our sorrow on the passing of Reverend Cartha McKenzie, Sr. and extend to his family our sincerest condolences.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Reverend Cartha McKenzie, Sr.
