Lucille Harbin

On a spring day, many years ago, I came into this world in the small town of Black Hawk, Mississippi, just outside Lexington. My parents, Geneva Thurmond Russell and Johnson Russell, welcomed me with open arms and hearts full of love. They named me Irma Lucille, but to everyone who knows me best, I’m simply “Babe.”

Growing up, our home was always filled with laughter, voices, and the kind of warm chaos only a large family can bring. I was one of many—siblings spread between Chicago and Mississippi, creating a network of support, love, and endless stories. G.B., Fred Douglas, John Henry, Laura Delores, Joe Nathan, Hazel, L.C., and Mangerlene have all passed on now. Each left a mark on my heart that time cannot erase. My beloved parents, too, are gone but their love and lessons remained with me every day.

Still, I was blessed to have my other siblings—Eva Mae, Carol, Marion (whom we all called "Sonny"), Laura Ann, Bernice, Luella, Vernon, Roy, L.C., and Roger. Each one of them adds a unique brushstroke to the vibrant canvas of our family.

Life moved forward, as it inevitably does, and I built a family of my own. I raised six incredible children: Irma Janelle, James Mernard, Angela Zenestica, Kathy, Kenneth, and Kristal “Noonie” Kolandra. The journey wasn’t without its heartaches—Kathy, Angela Zenestica, and Kenneth preceded me in death, leaving spaces in our lives that could never be filled. Despite the losses, the love we share as a family is a bond that not even death can weaken. It’s a connection that goes beyond the mere fact of blood. It’s in every memory we share, every moment of joy and sorrow. It’s in the way we carry on the legacy of those who have gone before us, in the laughter of our children, and in the stories we tell that keep the spirits of our loved ones alive.

I received my formal education at J.J. Knox High School in Winona, Mississippi, and later at Saints Industrial College in Lexington, Mississippi. Despite always seeking deeper spiritual growth, I have also thirsted for educational knowledge throughout my life. After relocating to Chicago, Illinois, I worked for the federal government and went back to school to further the education I had postponed for marriage and motherhood.

I truly felt the hand of God guiding my journey, opening doors and presenting opportunities that enriched my life and career. I attended Kennedy King College and several other prestigious institutions; I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Roosevelt University in Evanston, Illinois, a Master of Science in Special Education from Chicago State. Beyond my Master’s, I also completed additional credit hours at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. Each step in my educational journey added layers of knowledge and strength to my calling as a teacher.

My career in education has taken me to various inspiring places, each adding a unique chapter to my life’s work. I joined the staff at a school in Posen, Illinois, and also had the privilege of working at Dwight Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Illinois. Additionally, I served at Curtis Elementary School of Excellence in Roseland, Chicago, where I fulfilled a deeply rewarding role as a special education teacher. Each of these positions not only enriched my professional experience but also deepened my commitment to nurturing and advocating for every student’s potential.

I have spent nearly 30 years teaching in the Chicago Public Schools, and I give all praise and glory to God for these accomplishments. Among the shared experiences and trials of our lives, the spiritual foundation laid down by my parents has been our constant backbone. They nurtured us in faith, teaching us to lean on God in both joyous peaks and shadowed valleys. Sundays were sacred, filled with church services where hymns and prayers resonated, fortifying our souls for the week ahead. This deep-rooted spirituality has been a guiding light, offering solace during times of loss and amplifying our joys in moments of celebration. It is this faith that has woven resilience into the fabric of our family, ensuring that even as we face the inevitable challenges of life, we remain uplifted, connected by beliefs that transcend the physical and touch the eternal. As I recount the story of my family, it is clear that our shared faith has not only shaped our individual characters but has also drawn us ever closer, bonded by spiritual ties that endure.

As I close and reflect on the tapestry of my life, woven with threads of joy, pain, love, and loss, I deeply recognize the steadfast, everlasting love and strength of PaPa God and of family. The echoes of home, of the people who shaped me, resonate deeply. They are my foundation, my guiding stars, and as I share these stories of my life, I feel their warmth surround me, as tangible as a Mississippi sun setting over the fields of my childhood.

On Monday, July 15, 2024, at the age of 85, I answered the call and now I am absent from my body, and now present with Papa God. Please don’t cry for me, for I have risen... I am joyfully in the presence of PaPa God.

I hope that the legacy of love I left behind will bring comfort and live on in the hearts of my children: Irma Janelle Harbin, James (Patty) Harbin, and Kristal “Noonie” Harbin; my grandchildren: Angelica, Paige, Caleb, Troy Harbin, Kenny Harbin, Destinee, and DJ Sims; my brothers: Elder Marion (Shirley), Vernon, Roy (Selma), Walter (Susie)and Roger; my sisters: Eva Mae, Laura Ann (Ronald), Carol, Dorothy, Bernice, Luella; Tommy and Tyrone Brown; my great grandchildren, cousins, my Godchildren, friends, and even those who may not have cared for me.

God sent me to exemplify His pure love and spread His Word of His imminent return, and I did just as papa God’s destined me to do. I will see you again. Therefore, be ye also ready for the King Is Coming!

A Visitation for Lucille will be held Friday, July 26, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 West 103rd Street, Oak Lawn, Illinois, 60453. Funeral to follow Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, 910 W. 72nd St, Chicago, Illinois, 60621, beginning with a viewing at 10:00 AM. Funeral Service to follow directly at 10:30 AM. Interment to follow at Oakland Memory Lanes, 15200 Lincoln Avenue, Dolton, Illinois 60419.