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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
MATTIE RUTH “BIRT” UPSHIRE, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, on October 7th, 2017, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom has called Mattie Ruth “Birt” UpShire from our midst, and
WHEREAS, Mattie Ruth Lackland was born to Charles and Annie Bell Lackland on June 2, 1941 in Greenville, MS; and
WHEREAS, Mattie Ruth was 12 years old when she accepted Christ as her personal savior and was baptized by her uncle the late Reverend J.F. Redmon, Sr., at Pilgrim Rest Church; and
WHEREAS, she attended #2 Elementary School and Coleman High School in Greensville, Mississippi; and
WHERES, in 1950 she met Roosevelt Birt and on October 27, 1960 they were joined in holy matrimony, to this union six children were born; and
WHEREAS, in 1964 , in effort to make a better life for her family she relocated to Chicago, Illinois, where she joined New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late B.T. Bishop and was instrumental in organizing Genesis Love and Care Church where the late Reverend M.C. Pettie Pastored; and
WHEREAS, in search of more spiritual guidance Mattie then joined New Home Baptist Church as a part of Reverend Dr. Mack McCollum’s congregation. There she served as one of the Live Broadcast Announcers.
WHEREAS, Mattie’s spiritual growth continued when she joined Friendship Baptist Church where the shepherd was the late Rev. Dr. Shelvin J. Hall; and
WHEREAS, there Mattie accepted her calling to evangelize and minister the word of God. Also, while there she met the late Reverend Dr. W.L. UpShire and became the Mrs. W.L. UpShire on September 26, 1993, to that union, she gained three more daughters; and
WHEREAS, after their nuptials Mattie joined Prince of Peace Sanctified Baptist Church and became the First Lady, which was a position she took on with authority; vision and pride; and
WHEREAS, the spirit of entrepreneurship was upon her and was evident by the four restaurants; catering company and the women’s clothing boutique she owned; and
WHEREAS, among the different passions that Mattie displayed, she always fought for the underdog; and
WHEREAS, Mattie had many faces; she was the Claire Huxtable of helping many make decisions, she was the Carol Brady of our Bunch, she was Madea when necessary, and The COOKIE of our Empire; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Cook County that the Board does hereby offer it deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mattie Ruth “Birt” UpShire and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of his Honorable Body, and a suitable copy of the same be tendered to the family of Mattie Ruth “Birt” UpShire, that her memory may be so honored and ever cherished. end