Evelyn J. Walker Chatman

Mrs. Evelyn J. Chatman, age 63 of Jackson, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, September 25, 2015. We will honor her life on Saturday, November 21, 2015 in the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons with a gathering of friends at 10:00am and a memorial service at 11 a.m. You are welcome to attend as you schedule allows.

A Letter from Evelyn:

Dear Family and friends,

Each one of you friends held a special place in my heart and in my life.

First, I want to say thank you to Robert “Cowboy” Walker and Dorothy Raggs Walker for giving me life on August 20, 1952 and raising me up in Greenville and Tougaloo, MS. I’m grateful for things you taught me and I have passed it on to my children.

When I left Tougaloo, MS and moved to North Chicago, IL I didn’t know I would meet the man of my dreams, Cecil E. Chatman, whom I lovingly called “Boone” became my everything. We’ve been married over 40 years and we’ve enjoyed life together. We worked hard, traveled, blended a family together and loved them dearly. God blessed me with the right man! Boone, you did good! Promise me you’ll take care of yourself!

Children, I love you dearly; Schelerria Walker, Keisha (Roland) Walker-Cosey, Cedrick (Yetter) Walker, Aaron (Bernadette) Chatman, Cedric Chatman, Tammy Ball and our one adopted daughter, Stacey (Caruthers) Bison. It’s true children are a blessing from the Lord. You’ve made my life full. Remember to love each other, help each other, respect each other and take care of Pops. Thank you for my beautiful grandchildren.

To my grandchildren; Jaylan Muhammad, Jordyn Cosey, Jared Cosey, Joshua Malcolm, Cedrick Walker, Jr., Genesis Oatis Walker, Tamekia Ball-Jackson, Sade Alexis Moore, Justin, Johnson, Jamal Johnson, Jasmine Johnson, Antwan Chatman, Briana Chatman, Santana Chatman, Cederia Chatman, Kimaun Chatman, Kimaria Chatman and Valeria Reed you’re here to make this world a better place--love family. P.S. Don’t forget, don’t go out of the house looking any old way, you never know who you’re going to meet. Go to school and get your education, can’t nobody take that from you. Granny loves you!

To my brother, Marvin (Marissa) Johnson and my sister River Lindsey, thank you for the memories. I don’t consider Boone’s brothers and sisters my in-laws, they are my brothers and sisters and to Linda (Sam) Hines, Carolyn (Willie) Talley, Doris (George) Hill, Mary Louise Chatman, Tommy (Margaret) Chatman, Devon (Rita) Cunningham and Helen (Robert) Wallington thank you for sharing life with me.

I must acknowledge my dear friends, Jerry and Brenda Ingram thank you for your love and support over the years.

There is a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins (Raggs, Walker, Smith & Chatman); godchildren and grand-god children I want to include, know that I love you all!

Remember to honor and serve God. Grandchildren, you can serve God at an early age as I did in Tougaloo, Mississippi where I joined White Oak MB Church. It didn't stop in Mississippi, early on when I came to Waukegan I attended St, John MB church and Pleasant Grove MB Church in Waugekan, then Sign of the Dove in Tennessee. I became and remained a faithful member of Love and Truth Church in Jackson, TN. God gave us all talents and skills that could be used to help win souls. I volunteered as secretary and helped with various church events. I had the honor of being a part of planting two churches.

God blessed me to be able to work and retire from Abbott Laboratories after 20+ years of service. I made lots of friends during my career at Abbott. I also had the opportunity to take college courses at College of Lake County in Lake County, IL, all of which I am grateful for.

Until We Meet Again.

With All My Love,

Evelyn J. Chatman