MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR MRS. LILLIE B. MERRILL
WHEREAS, April 25,2020 marked .the-official home going celebration for Mrs. Lillie B. Merrill, a lifelong resident of the 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, this august body has been informed of her passing by the Honorable Stephanie D. Coleman, Alderman of the 16th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Lillie was born on September 14,1921 in Hugo, Oklahoma to Nicie Ducky and Sam Mathis; arid
WHEREAS, Lillie married Jackson Merrill and in 1955 they were among the first African American couples to purchase a home in the EnglewoOd comrhunity; and
WHEREAS, Lillie and Jackson joined Hope Presbyterian Church in 1955; Lillie was on the Usher Board, Deacon Board and the Women's Auxiliary Board and was a tireless worker and member and did many charitable events; and
WHEREAS, after her husband's death in 1992, Lillie traveled, joined a Women's Club and helped raise her grandchildren until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her mid-90's; and
WHEREAS, Lillie went to be with the Lord at the age of 98; and is preceded by her mother, husband and granddaughter, Javette Bell; and
WHEREAS, Lillie leaves to cherish her memories, daughters Josette Merrill and Charlette Harris; grandsons Lawrence Caldwell, Andrew Bell, Lamont Harris and Adrian Bell; great grandsons, Ajay arid Tyler and many friends and her cousins in Texas;
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council of the City of Chicago gathered this 17* day of June, 2020, do hereby express our deepest condolences to her family;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable cop^f the Resolution be presented to the family of Mrs. Lillie B. Merrill as a sign of ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
V_^Alderman, 16* Ward