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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Celebrating the Life of Queen Isabella (Isabel) Connolly Taylor
Proverbs 31: 28-31 (28) Her children arise up, and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praiseth her, (29) Many daughters have done virtuously but thou excellest them all; (30) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised; (31) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
WHEREAS, Almighty God has called Queen Isabella (Isabel) Connolly Taylor from our midst on January 5, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Queen Isabella was born into life on August 11, 1909 in Savage, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Queen Isabella confessed her faith in Christ at the tender age of 14 and joined St. Samaritan A.M.E. Church in Coldwater, Mississippi where she developed her commitment and dedication of service not only to the Lord but to mankind; and
WHEREAS, on April 12, 1931 she married Mr. Luke Taylor and to this union ten children were born; and
WHEREAS, her husband and three of their children Menore T. Hall, Calvin Taylor and Vernice T. Brownlee preceded her in death; and
WHEREAS, Queen Isabella raised her children in a God-fearing and loving home, provided them principles of hard work and education, they became successful entrepreneurs, educators, and governmental officials throughout the cities of Los Angles and Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Queen Isabella's passion was education. She passed the State of Mississippi's teacher certification exam in 1930 and began teaching in a "one room school house" at Prichard Elementary School in Tunica, Mississippi all before earning her high school diploma in 1950. She later earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1959 from Mississippi Industrial College. She taught school until her retirement in 1973; and
WHEREAS, In the mid 1970's Queen Isabella migrated to Chicago, Illinois and joined the Allen Metropolitan C. M. E. Church where she was a faithful, loyal, hard-working member. She served with numerous auxiliaries including the Missionary Society, the Young at Heart, and the Stewardess Board just to name a few until her departure; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, Queen Isabella became a member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and subsequently became a lifetime member. As the oldest living soror in the State of Illinois, Queen Isabella was always doted on by her sorors and in the 2013, the Isabella C. Taylor Scholarship was created in honor of her services and commitment to education; and
WHEREAS, Queen Isabella was known as an author for her treasure chest of inspirational words and beautiful rhythmic expressions were frequently displayed in churches, schools, newspapers and on television. From 1996 through 2000 Queen Isabella authored two poetry books, in which one of her poems won second place at the Gwendolyn Brook Writer's Conference; and
WHEREAS, Queen Isabella is survived by (7) loving children; Lee Dale, Marjorie, Hosea, C.L. (Irene), Doretha, Eunice, Melvin (Renee) whose memory of their mother will forever live on in their hearts; and
WHEREAS, Queen Isabella was the grandmother of (36) precious grandchildren, one of them being Melva L. Brownlee who is employed by Cook County Government, (72) adorable great- grandchildren, and (25) delightful great-great grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, She is also survived by two sisters, Ora Mae Rushing and Fannie Taylor, one son-in-law, Thomas O. Brownlee Sr., one daughter-in-law, Sonia Taylor, a host of nieces, nephews, numerous relatives and friends; and
WHEREAS, Most of all, Queen Isabella had unwavering faith in the Lord. She was a loving, charming, sincere individual who took the time to share every aspect of her life.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, do hereby offer our deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Queen Isabella C. Taylor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family of Queen Isabella (Isabel) C. Taylor and a copy be spread upon the official proceeding of this Honorable Body.
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