MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR EVELYN TANKSON
WHEREAS, This august body has been informed of Evelyn Tankson's passing by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman of the 34th Ward and Chairman of the Committee on Contracting Oversight and Equity; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn Tankson, affectionately known to all as "Nana", was born to the late Nathan Williams Sr. and Emma Blakely-Williams in Demopolis, Alabama on August 27, 1923; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn married Leonard A. Evans, Sr. in 1938, who preceded her in death, and in that union they were blessed with two children: Florence, who preceded her in death, and Leonard II. Evelyn later married Claude Ivory Tankson on November 7, 1966, and in that union embraced six children whom she called her own; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn accepted Christ and was baptized as a teenager under the leadership of Rev. Morgan James, Sr. of The Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church on the West Side; and
WHEREAS, She joined Beth Eden Baptist Church in 1966 where she was an active member until her health began failing. She served faithfully in the Sanctuary Choir and was an active member of "Seniors on the Go". Evelyn had a love for cooking Sunday dinner for her family and playing bingo and keno. She was a member of the "Unique Ladies" Social Club; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn received her diploma from Wendell Philips High School on the South Side, which enabled her to fulfill her passion for helping others by becoming a Social Worker for the Illinois Department Human Services, where she retired after working over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn continued to keep busy having come out of retirement to work at the Cook County Hospital as a parking attendant. She finally permanently retired in 2008 from the City of Chicago Board of Elections; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn was preceded in death by her siblings, Nathan, Jr. and Charlotte Burrell; and
WHEREAS, Evelyn leaves to cherish her memory children: Leonard II; Barbara; Brenda; Edith (Walter); Shirley (Lenard); Galeda (Leo); and Cary; grandchildren: Deborah (Roger); Arvenia; Arvon, Jr.; Angela; Gennifer; Leonard III; and George; greatgrandchildren: Tamika (Damon); Damien (Erica); Kiesha, who preceded her in death; Marcus (Christy); Brandi; Shamonta; Brittney; Brenee; Joshua; Makayla; Landon; and Winter; great-great grandchildren: Kanesha; Damien, Jr.; Dalis; Nia; Amari; Akil; Ariyon; Jordan; Cire; Sydney; Marcus, Jr.; and Braylen; godson: Odell; brother-in- Law: Julius Burrell, Sr.; nephew: Julius Burrell, Jr. (Deborah); special friend: Ann Davis; special granddaughters: Natalie and Cerritha; special grandson: Wendell; the Unique Ladies Social Club and a host of other relatives and friends; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this fifteenth day of January 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Evelyn Tankson; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Evelyn\f|ihRs6ri-as a sign of our honor, gratitude, and respect.
CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman,34th Ward