R.I.P. Derod Henderson

The graphic below was posted to Nextdoor this morning. With a link to a Sun-Times article regarding the retired Chicago police officer who shot himself this past Monday. There was this message attached to it.

Sadness and devastation have overcome my life. There was such unexpressed sorrow that despite being given options, he felt this was the choice to make. I’m at a loss and at this time I cannot say much more. While some actions cannot be stopped, please acknowledge depression and reach out to everyone, especially first responders. They cannot unsee the horrors of the world. Help reduce the stigma of accepting mental health.

Condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues!

Also, I wanted to share this in the spirit of "reducing the stigma of accepting mental health". It's disturbing hearing about the suicides of Chicago Police active or retired, and hope that we'll get those troubled police officers the help they need.

However, if the family requests that I take this post down their wishes will be respected.

Travel Advisory: High Risk Funeral Procession

You might have seen this from Concerned Citizen's of Chatham and I see that Ald. Anthony Beale posted this as well (at least until it was deleted).

Let me state the route of this procession

Therefore neighborhood advocates involved with peacekeeping activities are calling for all area residents, businesses and faith based organizations to be aware and cautious when using, or crossing, Cottage Grove Ave between 115th street & 67th (Marquette road) between the hours of 1pm until 3pm 2 hours), where a procession leaving the "House of Hope" will travel to Oakwoods cemetery.

From what I'm seeing as far as comments this might involve the funeral of Lawrence "Big Law" Loggins who was murdered earlier this month. Police fear retaliation in his murder.

Identity of the deceased sister

JP Paulus' shot of the sister's collapsed tent Jan. 2018

You may have seen this already on Worlee Glover's Concerned Citizens of Chatham so here it is. The identity of the deceased sister found in a shopping cart pushed by her sister - Susan Foster.

You may have also seen this on Nextdoor. I have redacted the name of the person who posted this.

click for larger resolution

 What you see below the break is a link to the obituary.

PREVIOUS POSTS

• Update on the homeless sisters
• What a sad story that occurred over the weekend in Chatham
• What happened to the homeless sisters?

Crain's: A Business of Life & Death

[VIDEO] A presentation at Crain's profiling the local Leak & Sons Funeral Home located @ 7838 S. Cottage Grove. It was noted in the video above that this family was involved with the Civil Rights movement where Funeral Home founder A.R. Leak marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama. Also it was noted that they buried singer Sam Cooke, athlete Jessie Owens, and comedian Bernie Mac. In addition to those they also buried 6-month-old Jonylah Watkins who in March 2013 had been murdered in an attempt on her father's life who she just so happen to be with at that unfortunate moment.

Unfortunately the focus of this piece is that Leak & Sons have had to handle at least quarter of Chicago's more than 500 victims of gun violence. In many cases he's forced to help the many families who aren't able to pay for the funeral of their loved ones.

Also, Spencer Leak Sr. had been interviewed last year for NBC News and offered his thoughts on the violent crimes here in Chicago.

This presentation is both eye-opening and very sad.

Chicago funeral home director: 'These kids don't expect to live a full life'

Spencer Leak Sr, is dismayed by the many funerals he's had to handle for young homicide victims:

Business is disturbingly steady for Spencer Leak, Sr.

It’s not that he is unaccustomed to being busy. After all, he is a successful funeral home director with two locations and his family has been in the funeral business for almost 80 years.

It’s just that many of the people arriving for their “homegoing,” as the services often are called, are so young. Leak said he’s been doing upwards of 125 funerals a year for homicide victims, many of them young adults, some just teenagers, who are victims of the recent surge in violence rocking this city.

“These kids don’t expect to live a full life,” said Leak, a former executive director of the Cook County Department of Corrections. “You get about a thousand other kids who come to these funerals. They see how it’s celebrated and they think this is how I’ll be celebrated when I get shot.”

The article concludes with Mr. Leak referencing his background:

“If we don’t get these kids when they’re 7 or 8 years old, we’ll lose them,” he warned. “I used to get them at the jail at 17, and it was too late.”

Read the whole thing!

Friends, colleagues honor fallen firefighter Corey Ankum at visitation

Ankum's story was first brought to light by Worlee at Concerned Citizen's of Chatham. This story from the Tribune was about Ankum's visitation:

On Wednesday, firefighters from throughout the Chicago area marked their third day of commemorating a fallen colleague.

This time, they gathered to honor Corey Ankum, who friends and co-workers called a promising addition to the force since he started about a year ago.

"One is too many. It's very tough on everyone," Chicago Fire Commissioner Bob Hoff said of the strain of planning and attending multiple memorials taking place most of this week for Ankum and fallen fireman Edward Stringer.

Hundreds of firefighters and Ankum's former colleagues with the Chicago police — he had done a short stint with the force — made their way to Apostolic Church of God on the South Side to salute and pray for him at his visitation service.

Ankum and Stringer were killed Dec. 22 after a roof collapsed on them, in what was the deadliest blaze for Chicago firefighters in more than a decade. Seventeen others were injured, including one fireman who on Wednesday returned to a hospital for follow-up care. He is expected to recover, fire officials said.

Read the whole thing!

Funeral arrangements for Pastor James Demus III ; Homegoing of Rev. Joseph McAfee

Mark S Allen posted this on his blog on ChicagoNow. The photo is from Park Manor Christian Church's website

"Dedicated to my friend, mentor, colleague, ally, clergy-activist partner for over 20 years. What you taught me and what we worked on through the years with PUSH and other efforts will live on in me and those like me that God blessed you touch. I will miss you buddy !"

The viewing of Rev. James L. Demus' body will be held Sunday, September 26, 2010, from Noon to 5 p.m. at the Cage Funeral Home, 7651 S. Jeffery, Chicago, IL 60649.

Visitation services for Rev. Demus, 57, who died last Thursday, will be held noon, Monday, September 27, 2010 at the Park Manor Christian Church, 600 E. 73rd St., where he was senior pastor. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with burial held at the Mount Hope Cemetery, 115th and Fairfield.

At 6 p.m., Sunday, September 26, 2010, there will be a 25th anniversary gala held at the Doubletree Hotel, 5000 W. 127th Street, Alsip, IL, celebrating the life and works of Rev. James L. Demus, III. For further information, call the church at: 773-483-2115 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              773-483-2115      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or e-mail: parkmanorchristianchurch@yahoo.com.


Reverend James L. Demus III


Biography


Long time Chicagoan, Reverend James L. Demus III has served Park Manor Christian Church in Chicago, IL for the past quarter century. Under his leadership Park Manor Christian Church has flourished as one of the largest, most influential African American congregations in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He has personally mentored a legacy of twelve "Timothy's" spread throughout the United States, touching numerous lives during his ministerial career.


An activist at heart, Reverend Demus has reached out beyond the walls of the church to address social justice issues such economic disparity, education equality and political inclusion to enrich and empower the lives of the underserved. Well known in religious and political circles, Reverend Demus is a renowned preacher, spiritual teacher, religious scholar, motivational speaker, social justice activist, entrepreneur, corporate consultant, and church growth advocate.


He was the co-convener of the now historic Million Man March - opening up the doors of Park Manor to jumpstart diversity and cohesion amongst different denominations and religious orders. This decision to work together with Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam as a team materialized into One Million Black Men coming together in solidarity and faith in Washington, D.C.


A former teacher and long-time advocate for the Chicago Public Schools, Reverend Demus has always shown a special interest in children, whom he credits for leading him to the ministry. Over the years he has sought to promote and improve academic excellence. As an apprentice of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, he worked as Special Assistant to the President for PUSH and as Assistant Director of the Push Excel Program: a program designed to encourage children and teens to succeed and take responsibility for their education.


He has been and remains a champion for improving the spiritual, social and leadership skills of America's youth. He has hosted workshops, tutoring, and church/community based programs through his church and the now defunct Blue Gargoyle Youth Service in Chicago.


Reverend Demus is the co-founder of the Ministerial Alliance Against the Digital Divide (MAADD), a group that focuses on promoting and improving access to technology and the internet. According to Mayor Daley, "Technology can enhance opportunity, improve knowledge and workforce skills, expand economic development and encourage innovation."

To expand their reach to the community, MAADD recently launched the "community pulpit" blogs to provide timely information about various social justice issues. Reverend Demus was among the first to speak up when auditors discovered $5 million dollars worth of computer equipment was stored in a warehouse unused for several years after SBC had purchased the material with the intent of donation to the Chicago Public Schools.


To boost economic development and help black-owned businesses create jobs, he helped to revive the Black Expo along with the late Reverend Bernard Taylor under the umbrella Black Expo Chicago and National Black Expo.


Reverend Demus has been active in local, state and national politics, increasing voter registration, and has used his influence to elect numerous local, state and national political figures such as Presidents William Clinton and Barack Obama. In 1984, he was a National Democratic Party's Rules Committee Member which resulted in better representation for women, young people and minorities--Super Delegates.


Reverend Demus earned a bachelor's degree in education from Northern Illinois University in 1975, and a Masters of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary seven years later. He also received a Certificate of Award in Faith-based Community Development from Harvard University in 1999. He has served as the Executive Director of the Chicago South Side Branch of the NAACP and is Co-Convener of the Disciples Justice Action Network (DJAN).


Reverend Demus is the recipient of numerous awards and certificates including the prestigious Community Service Fellowship of the Chicago Community Trust. He is a strong believer in the "power of prayer." Additionally, he believes there's power in Black Churches and not just the spiritual kind. He remains a successful advocate for human rights and social change.


Rev. Demus is survived by his loving wife Eleanor Demus, two sons, Joshua Von Demus and James L. Demus IV, two step-daughters, Robyn L. Cushingberry and Marie C. Babb-Fowler, step-son Lamont Sharp, two sisters, Alice Jean Sithole (Washington, D.C.), Gwendolyn Miller (Eric) (Chicago, IL), a brother, Obediah Demus (Marva) (Cincinnati, OH), grandchildren, Anna J. Chapman-Demus, Candyce L. Black, Brittany Thompson, and Andrew Babb-Fowler.

==========
In addition to Pastor Demus' homegoing, Rev. Joseph McAfee went home to be with the Lord in early September.  Rev. McAfee ran for alderman in the neighboring 8th Ward. However, his  church, Central United Community Church,  is on Cottage Grove near 85th. Mark S Allen also blogged about Rev. McAfee's funeral. 

Brothers and sisters, from all the grassroots organizing movements that led up to the foundation for the first Black Mayor to the first Black to be elected United States President, the Rev. Joseph McAfee was a legendary religious leader and activist and it was indeed an honor and privelage to have been a student, friend, and activist colleague with Rev. McAfee for over 25 years in Chicago. I cannot think of any Civil Rights or Black empowerment movement in any area in Chicago where you did not find the presence of Rev. McAfee. He indeed leaves a legacy of other young activists and those in the ministry who his leadership example will carry on in all of us he and his activism touched directly and indirectly. He was indeed a champion for the least of Gods people.

THINK ABOUT IT anti-vilence campaign = Saturday, June 19th

Here's an upcoming event that was brought to our attention while at the Ruggles Prayer meeting.

(Apologies for the ALL CAPS)

SAMUEL B. RAWLS AND SON FUNERAL HOME CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE “THINK ABOUT IT” ANTI-VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN MARCH ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT NOON.

JOIN CLIFF KELLEY, RADIO PERSONALITY KENYA SIMONE, ALDERMAN FREDDRENNA LYLE 6^TH WARD, ALDERMAN LATASHA THOMAS 17^TH WARD, AND REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE SPEECH ADDRESSING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF CRIME ON OUR COMMUNITY.


THE “THINK ABOUT IT” MARCH STARTS PROMPTLY AT NOON ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT 71^ST AND MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE AND WILL END AT THE NEW FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH ON 71^ST AND HALSTED WITH A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR.

EVERY LIFE THAT WE HELP SAVE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR TOMORROW!!

‘THINK ABOUT IT”

--
For more information, contact event sponsor Rawls and Son Funeral Home

Samuel B. Rawls
President
773-445--8266
rawlsandsonfuneralhome@yahoo.com

Services for Officer Wortham

Was updated in the round-up of Cole Park fellowship stories. The Sun-Times' Stella Foster offers a schedule more in keeping with what Ald. Lyle indicated it was:

A SAD REMINDER: Off-duty Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV, who was fatally shot last week on the South Side, during an armed robbery outside of his parents' home, will have visitation Thursday at the Leak and Sons Funeral Chapels, 7838 South Cottage Grove, 3 to 8 p.m. The funeral on Friday at the Trinity United Church of Christ with the wake at 10 a.m. and the service at 11 a.m.

This columnist sends deepest condolences to the family on the loss of this precious 30-year-old war veteran and police officer. I am just happy as heck that the alleged shooters have been arrested. Now, if they could only throw those merciless cowards six feet under the jail. The Leak family is donating their services. . . . as always for fallen policemen. That is so gracious of them to do so.

More stories about the Cole Park fellowship

UPDATE: The Alderman alerted us in the comments that the times for the wake and funeral was changed over at the Chgo Breaking News link below so the updates are reflected in the quote. Hopefully the schedule of events will be verified.

Well first this is first. Funeral arrangments have been made for the late Officer Thomas Wortham who was murdered across the streets from Cole Park last week:

Visitation is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at  Leak & Sons Funeral Home, 7838 S. Cottage Grove Ave. A wake is scheduled Friday at noon 10 a.m.at Trinity United Church of Christ, 421 W. 95th St., with the funeral expected to begin at 1 p.m 11:30 a.m..  Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery in southwest suburban Alsip.

Next CBS2 has a report from yesterday's fellowship at Cole Park. This event was planned not long after the shootings in Cole Park during the month of April. The first warm day was when this was to take place. Unfortunately it took place without Wortham who was President of the Cole Park Advisory Council. The video report is accessible below.

Click picture to watch video

Here's more from the Chicago Tribune. They seem to discuss what I'm sure many believe may be the root of the violence occurring in this community:

Many longtime residents of Chatham, one of Chicago's best-known black middle-class neighborhoods, have grown concerned over the increasing crime they attribute to Chicago Housing Authority residents moving to the area. According to the agency, 118 families have used vouchers to relocate from public housing to Chatham. That is less than 1 percent of the neighborhood's households.

Lewis Jordan, the CHA's chief executive officer, said complaints that former public housing residents are responsible for an increase in crime in Chatham are unsupported by the facts.

Kassandra Scott-Ward, 59, was 8 years old when her family moved into their Chatham home. Back then, children knew where their teachers lived and neighbors raised chickens or horses and grew fruit trees in their yards.

Now, "these people have moved into a community without having a sense of community," Scott-Ward said.

Jordan said the distribution of former residents of CHA high-rises has not been concentrated in any particular area, but throughout the city.

Finally Mark Brown has a column:

People are already looking for ways to honor slain Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV, some even suggesting that Cole Park, where he served as president of the advisory council, be renamed for him instead of legendary singer Nat King Cole.

I would respectfully endorse an alternative suggestion, also involving the park, that seems more in keeping with the selfless life of service that Wortham led as a soldier, police officer and community leader.

In the weeks before his death, Wortham was working to secure the park and allow for the reopening of the basketball courts that had been shut down last month after a pair of shooting incidents.

Let's get that accomplished for him, immediately, even if it means starting out with a full-time police presence.

Returning that previously peaceful park to the people of Chatham should be our top priority, as it was to Wortham, both for the immediate benefit of the neighborhood's residents and for the symbolic impact of the broader community taking a stand that his death is not acceptable.

Finally a foundation offers the police officer's family with a check:

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation on Saturday presented the family of slain officer Thomas Wortham IV with a check for $50,000.

Funded entirely through donations, the foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring the lives and memories of fallen officers. Among its goals are providing support and financial assistance to families of officers killed or catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

That article was short, but it should be noted that the check was presented to Wortham's family by the foundation's executive director and former Police Superintendent Phil Cline.

Homegoing services for Ald. Lyle's mother

From the Leslie Honore at Greater Chatham Alliance:

Good afternoon,

Please be advised that the homegoing services for Mrs. Delores Harris, beloved mother of Alderman Freddrenna Lyle, will be held on:

Tuesday, February 16 at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church
Visitation will take place from 10-11 a.m., Funeral services immediately following.
Flowers and cards can be sent to:

AA Rayner & Sons Funeral Home
318 East 71st Street
Chicago, IL 60619.

The telephone number is 773.846.6133.

Our sympathies as always!

UPDATE 12:32 PM More from Clevan Tucker at the Roseland Heights Community Association

It is with much sadness and sorrow that I announce the passing of Mrs. Delores Harris; the mother of our beloved 6th Ward Alderman Ms. Freddrenna Lyle. Her transition was February 8, 2010. On behalf of the RHCA we extend our condolences to her family, friends and residents of the Park Manor Community.

Services will be held
February 16, 2010 10:00 am visitation - 11:00 am Funeral
at New Covenant Baptist Church
754 E. 77th Street Chicago, IL
1 773 224-5570

You may want to offer some comfort (and prayers) to Alderman Lyle
Please send cards to:
The Sixth Ward Service Office
C/O Alderman Freddrenna Lyle
406 E. 75th Street
Chicago, IL 60619

or Email: ward06@cityofchicago.org

Services set for Dempsey J. Travis

Sun-Times:

Friends may visit from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday at Taylor Funeral Home, 63 E. 79th St. The wake will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, followed by services at 11:30 a.m. in the Apostolic Church of God, 6320 S. Dorchester.

Illinois suspends funerals for poor

WBBM-AM:

For the poor, it's a final indignity, funeral directors say: The state of Illinois is suspending payments for funerals for the indigent.

That money -- $1,103 that goes to the funeral home, $552 for the cemetery -- can make the difference between a modest service and a burial in a potter's field, said John Baran of Baran Funeral Home at 2644 N. Central Ave.

"I know we're going through budget cuts," Baran said, "but. . . . "

A letter to funeral homes last week from the Department of Human Services announced the cutback, blaming "the General Assembly's failure to approve the revenue plan proposed by Gov. Quinn."

"The program doesn't have funding right now," the agency's Tom Green said Monday.
...
He said Illinois pays about $15 million a year for about 10,000 funerals for the poor.

A funeral home makes "maybe 50 bucks" on these burials, Baran said, "by the time you pay the transportation to pick up the body, transportation out to the cemetery, the embalming, plus the casket."

The state will pay for funerals that have taken place, Green said. But payment for funerals held after July 1 will be pushed to the budget year that begins July 1, 2010.

Funeral directors predicted bodies will begin piling up at medical examiner's offices.
...
Already, some funeral home owners have gotten so tired of waiting for state reimbursement that they've stopped handling indigent burials, Baran said.

Really tough times!

BTW, Illinois is said in this article to be one of a handful of states to offer assistance to indigent families who have to bury loved ones. It also mentions that Catholic Cemetaries will not turn away anyone.