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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF QUIANA KARI WHITTLER MARTIN CLEVELAND
JOHN 14:1-3: (1)Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.(2)In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3)And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
WHEREAS, Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom has called Quiana Kari Whittler Martin Cleveland from our midst on January 8, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Quiana leaves to cherish her memory her husband Thomas Cleveland III of Houston, Texas; two children Caleb Thomas and Gabriela Noel of Houston, Texas, and her beloved parents Anthony M. Martin, Sr. and Zelda R. Whittler Martin; and
WHEREAS, Quiana was born on December 5, 1976 in Chicago, Illinois to the union of Anthony M. Martin, Sr. and Zelda Whittler Martin, their only child, warmly known as “KiKi” by family and friends, grew up in Markham, Illinois; and
WHEREAS, at the age of 12, Quiana gave her life to Christ at Bel-Aire M.B. Church in Markham, Illinois and was a member until she relocated to Houston, Texas where she joined with Southwest Community Church. In 2011, she united with Brookhollow Church Without Walls, also located in Houston, Texas; and
WHEREAS, at 10 years old, she cut out a newspaper clipping of a job listing for an architectural engineer (that included salary) and proudly declared her career choice which she achieved through intelligence, determination and hard work; and
WHEREAS, Quiana attended the University of Illinois in Urbana, IL and completed internships as Research Assistant and an Engineering Technician. She also studied abroad at the University of Fortaleza in Fortaleza Ceara, Brazil and received numerous honors and awards including: Presidential Scholar Award, Will County farm Bureau Scholar, APWA Continuing Education Scholar and was inducted in the Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, Quiana earned a B.S. in Civil/Environmental /Hydrosystems Engineering with a minor in International Engineering - Latin America Studies; and
WHEREAS, Quiana began her professional career in 1998 with Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineer as Consulting /Project Engineer. In 2001, she began working for the Cook County Highway Department as Resident Engineer /Project Manager in the Construction Division and, by 2005, was the Assistant Director of the Construction Office Bureau. Later in 2005, she realized one of dreams and became CEO/Founding Partner of Urban Infrastructure, LLC - a firm which specialized in Geographic Information Systems (CIS), construction management and transportation consulting. Urban Infrastructure, LLC designed and managed projects in excess of $40MM. The firm relocated to Houston, Texas in November of 2005; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2006, Quiana married her “prince charming” Thomas Cleveland III and they began the “grand adventure” of their lives: traveling all over the world, taking pleasure in untold dining experiences and etc. Thomas and Quiana loved each other and enjoyed life together; and
WHEREAS, in 2007, she decided it was time to expand their family and began planning and executing project “perfect pair”. On December 21, 2008, she gave birth to twins Caleb Thomas and Gabriela (Gabby) Noel and found her true calling; and
WHEREAS, Quiana loved, taught, corrected, shared, prayed with and focused herself completely on the health, welfare and happiness of Caleb and Gabby and, at the same time, loved her husband completely, shared a unique bond with her mother, spent time with family and friends, travelled, and was a passionate and gifted photographer. And oh, how she loved the Lord; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, Quiana earned a coveted professional credential, the Professional Engineering (P.E.) License. In 2011, she began working for Lectrus Corporation in Houston, TX. As a Business Developer Manager where she remained employed until December, 2014. Amazingly, in November of 2014, she obtained a Texas Real Estate License; and
WHEREAS, Quiana was affiliated with a number of professional organizations including: National Society of Black Engineers, Houston Minority Business Council, Society of Women Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers and American Public Works Association.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and the Board of Commissioners of Cook County do hereby offer our deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to her husband Thomas Cleveland III, son Caleb Thomas, daughter Gabriela Noel and parents Anthony M. Martin, Sr. and Zelda R. Whittler Martin as we join them in their sorrow during this time of loss; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of Quiana Kari Whittler Martin Cleveland and a copy be spread upon the official proceeding of this Honorable Body.
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