CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO LORETTA J. OLIVER ON HER 85th BIRTHDAY
WHEREAS, On February 16, 2019, Loretta J. Oliver will celebrate her 85th birthday in the loving company of her family and many friends; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this milestone in Loretta's life by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward and Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Government Operations; and
WHEREAS, On February 16, 1934, Loretta Oliver was born to loving parents, Mauris and Maudell Oliver, the fifth child in what eventually became a family of ten siblings; and
WHEREAS, The Oliver family enjoyed membership at Robert's Temple Church of God in Christ, at 4021 S. State Street in Chicago, a church famous for its history in having hosted the 1955 funeral of Emmctt Till, which helped spark the civil rights movement; and, three decades earlier, for launching the career of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, known as the godmother of rock V roll; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver and all of her siblings were encouraged to partake in the wonderful musical traditions of their church by singing in the church as soon as they were able to stand by themselves; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver is gifted with an extremely melodious voice. As a young woman she used this gift often to sing praises to God as a member of the Church choir and as one of the lead singers for a group called the Dancanaires, who billed themselves as "The Gospel Wonders of the Midwest". Sister Loretta could be frequently heard singing with the group on Robert Temples' weekly radio broadcast; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver's musical career is lengthy and well documented. There are many videos depicting her singing both individually, and with choirs; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver, along with her sister Vernon, is recognized in the books: Alive Again, by Bishop Lorenzo L. Kelly; and, Gonna Do Great Things: the Life of Sammy Davis Jr. by Gary Fishgall; and
WHEREAS, Sister Oliver also became a member of the...
Click here for full text