WHEREAS, Verlean Watson-Swift will celebrate the joyous occasion of her 75th birthday on April 2, 2020; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this milestone by the Honorable Derrick G. Curtis, Alderman of the 18th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Verlean was born in Mississippi on April 2,1945, and attended Tennessee State University before moving to the Chicago area on April 22, 1967 to continue her studies at Roosevelt University; and
WHEREAS, Asa single mother, Verlean purchased her first home in 1972, settling on the South Side in the 18th Ward; and
WHEREAS, After establishing herself in the 18th Ward, Verlean realized there was work to do in her community and started working with the-18th Ward Alderman Thomas Murphy, who is now a Cook County Circuit Court Judge, and continued to serve her community with his successors - former Alderman Lona Lane and current Alderman Derrick G. Curtis; and
WHEREAS, Verlean began her work in the funeral business in 1986 as the administrator and salesperson at Golden Gate Funeral Home before becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Memorial Chapels in 2010, where she continues to work to this day; and
WHEREAS, As Chief Operating Officer, Verlean realizes that her steps are ordered by God with the direction ofthe Holy Spirit, or, as Verlean says, "It was through serving that I came to be where I am now"; and
WHEREAS, When asked how she arrived to where she is today, Verlean replies "knowing where I came from keeps me grounded"; and
WHEREAS, While Verlean eventually moved out of the 18th Ward, she remains an active, influential, and dedicated member of the 18th Ward business community, making a difference wherever she goes and no one remains a stranger for long after meeting her; and
WHEREAS, A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, with three children and three grandchildren Verlean enjoys working in her yard, whether in Chicago or the South Suburbs, for over 50 years; now, therefore
BEIT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council ofthe City of Chicago, gathered here this eighteenth day of March, 2020, do hereby congratulate Verlean Watson-Swift on her 75th birthday, and wish her continued success and happiness; and
BE;IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy ofthis resolution be prepared and presented to Verlean Watson-Swift as a token of our esteem, honor, and respect.
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