RESOLUTION HONORING ESTHER REBERTA AIKENS
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that the Chicago City Council is hereby informed of the observance of Esther Reberta Aikens 100th birthday; and
WHEREAS, Esther Reberta Aikens, an enthusiastic, active and much loved 34th Ward resident of Chicago, will celebrate her Centennial Birthday, Thursday, April 23, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Esther was born on April 23, 1915, in Biscoe, Arkansas, a small, sleepy town in East Central Arkansas to Eliza Gaddy and Joe Myers, and their loving family consisted of two daughters and four sons; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 21, she married her sweetheart Leroy Aikens, and their union bore six children: Richard, Elizabeth, Mary, Clarice, Bonnie and Patricia; and
WHEREAS, In 1936, in search of a better life, Leroy and Esther relocated to Chicago with their children to find new opportunities; and
WHEREAS, As a full-time mother, Esther was the matriarch and rock of the family, rearing her children to have good values, to work hard and to treat others with kindness and respect. A natural caretaker, she also helped raise and greatly influenced the lives of her grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, A longtime member of the Original Holy Ark Church located at 5336 S. Morgan Street for over 50 years, where she also served on the nursing board. Admired and respected by her church community, Esther is regarded highly as a wise woman of grace and quick wit; and
WHEREAS, Even at her senior age, Esther has remained social and loves to be around people, delighting those close to her in her cooking and knack for hospitality, and always appreciates company to watch her cowboy and western films; now, therefore
WHEREAS, The Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward, has apprised this august body of the milestone observance of Esther Reberta Aikens's centennial years; now, therefore,
BEMT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled;-this fifteenth day of April, 2015 do hereby c...
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