The
Reese Family
I
am the only member of my family that is a Methodist.
I am divorced and the mother of two adult sons,
Spencer, Jr. and Jonathan (Adreda). I have seven
(plus one due in May) grandchildren.
I was born and raised
in Chicago. I moved to Harvey in 1979. I served
on the Harvey School District 152 Board of Education
from 1987-2002. I worked in hospital management
for years. But when my position was eliminated,
I decided to change careers. I went back to school
at Governors State University and received an Alternative
Certification Teaching Certificate. I am in my third
year at Brooks Middle School in Harvey as a 7th/8th
grade Social Studies teacher.
At FWA I serve as the
Christian Education Chairperson. I graduated from
Elmhurst College with a BA in Biology, GSU with
a Master of Health Services Administration and Garrett-Evangelical
Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity.
I am currently in school at GSU working on my Master
of Education. I serve on the Pastoral Staff where
I teach Adult Sunday School and Bible Study. I serve
in the Nursing Home Ministry. I also decorate the
Bulletin Boards. In the past I have served not only
in the local church but served the Northern Illinois
Conference as Chair of the Commission on Religion
and Race.
In my “spare
time” I like to read, travel, knit, crochet
and garden (more indoor than out). I collect Noah's
Ark, Hot Air Balloons and Ballet Dancers figurines.
I am grateful for the
honor and privilege of being selected FWA's Family
of the Month. Thank you all. Lynda T. Reese
May
2007 Family of the Month
The
Daniel Family
Margaret Harrison Daniel,the
daughter of a Methodist preacher, was born in Blackburn,
Missouri.
She has two siblings
- a brother, Edward Harrison of Harvey, Illinois
and a sister, Willa Mae Lee of San Antonio, Texas,
and one son, Johnney Harvey, who lives in Chicago.
Margaret attended Philander
Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas where she
obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. She worked
at St. John Hospital in Joplin, Missouri as an LPN,
and studied medicine for 2 years. Later, she worked
for the Veterans Administration in Wadsworth, Kansas
and Chicago, Illinois. In 1980, she graduated from
Governors State University with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Education.
She joined Wesley Memorial
United Methodist Church in 1966.
As a PK (preacher's
kid), she has always been active in the church.
Some of her current/former positions are:
President of United
Methodist Women
Secretary of United Methodist Women
President of Pastor Parish Relations (PPR)
Officer for Church Women United
Former Member of Choir (Wesley)
Youth Coordinator (Wesley)
Member of Trustee Board
She is presently a
member of the Board of the Northern Illinois Conference,
and President of the Markham Senior Organization.
Margaret loves God
and loves being involved in the church. Thank you,
Family of the Month, for the honor.
April
2007 Family of the Month
The
Williams Family
Vernon
and Nina Williams, will celebrate 21 truly blessed
years of marriage on July 12th of this year, and
are the proud parents of two daughters, Lauren (20)
and Esteen (18). The Williams family currently resides
in Hazel Crest Illinois.
Vernon Williams and
Nina (Parker) Williams met each other in the elevator
of the downtown Chicago office building that they
both worked in, back in 1986. It was truly love
at first site! Their very first date was at Mrs.
Levy's Deli in the Sears Tower. On December 21,
1986 they received into the world their first daughter
(Lauren) and on January 26, 1989 their second daughter
(Esteen) was born. Lauren attended Northern Illinois
University through the fall 2006 and is currently
attending South Suburban College majoring in Criminal
Justice and working part-time at Jewels and The
Locker Room Barber Shop. She enjoys drawing and
creating hair designs. Esteen is a senior at Hillcrest
High School and will be graduating in May 2007.
She plans on attending South Suburban College, before
transferring to a University. She enjoys playing
basketball (Hillcrest Varsity/Mgr), Softball and
Tennis, as well as spending time with her numerous
friends. Esteen loves to sing and recently joined
the FWA Music Ministry and One4Christ.
Vernon and Nina also
have an 9 year old Shih Tzu dog (our “little
boy” Miko), 11 nieces and nephews (Ashley,
Asia, Albert, Calida, Kelley, Veronica, Romelle,
Deion, Amari, Ashraf and Attiyah) and two God children
(Cameron Woolery and Kyree Alexander)
Vernon (the son of
Wilman and Lorraine (Gholson) Williams) has three
brothers (Abdul-Alim, Darnell, Bryan) and one sister
(Valerie). His parents reside in Calumet City along
with my sister Valerie and Brother Bryan. His brother
Darnell resides in Chicago, IL (and plays lead guitar
for FWA) and brother Abdul-Alim resides in Hampton
VA. Vernon is currently employed with Chicago Transit
Authority (CTA) as the General Manager of Claims/Law
Department, with a staff of 21 and annual operating
budget of $15 million. Vernon received his education
from The Insurance School of Chicago (Associate
in Claims), The Transportation Safety Institute
(TSI), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Central Texas College and The United States Army
(Administration Specialist). I love Lord, first
and foremost - detailing autos, playing the bass
guitar, sound engineering and hanging with my family
and friends. The Williams family saying is “Don't
Do It and We Won't Say It”.
Nina is the daughter
of Elvernice and Esteen Parker. Her Mom went home
to God on September 6, 2005. Nina grew up on the
Southwest side of Chicago, IL. She attended Curie
High School and Chicago State University. Throughout
High School and every summer, Nina was a member
of several dance troupes and theatre companies -
performing in many competitions and performances
throughout the city of Chicago. Nina has one older
brother, Elvis Parker (CCH, IL) and two sisters,
Dinah Motley (Peoria, IL) and Allison Barnes (Chicago,
IL).
Nina is currently the
Director of Marketing Communications and New Business
Consulting for the Prudential Financial's Retirement
Division. She has been with Prudential and in the
retirement/financial services industry for 24 years.
Nina is a National Association of Securities Dealers
(NASD) Registered Representative and holds her Series
6, 65 and 66 NASD Licenses in all 50 States. Nina
travels extensively as part of the Prudential Retirement
Large Market Sales Team. She represents Prudential
in the $100 million and above retirement market
segment. Nina consults with prospects and clients
on marketing and communication capabilities for
Pension, 401(k), Profit Sharing Plan Participants.
She also develops communication and education strategies,
as well as custom education campaigns to elevate
sales effectiveness.
Nina loves the Word
of God! So, whenever she has an opportunity, at
home and during her travels she loves to read and
mediate on His Word. Whenever she's not on the road,
she enjoys spending time with her husband, shopping,
taking care of her home, cooking and just being
a Mom to her beautiful daughters.
The Williams Family
has been members of FWA since October 2000. We are
so thankful to God for all He has done, all He is
doing and all that His going to do in our lives.
It is a joy to bless the Lord and the church body,
by actively participating in several ministries
and committees within FWA. Nina (Music Ministry,
Finance Co-Chair, PPRC), Vernon (PPRC Co-Chair,
Trustee Sound Engineer).
Thank
you for the Family of the Month honor and God Bless
You!
March
2007 Family of the Month
The
Windmon Family
The Windmon lineage
began June 25, 1945 in Wilson Arkansas. On this
glorious day, Charlie Windmon and Bobbie Anderson
joined together in Holy matrimony. They moved to
the Englewood area of Chicago in 1952. The Lord
blessed there union with eight wonderfully dynamic
children who are all well and highly blessed. Charlie
Windmon was a devoted husband, father, deacon and
Sunday school teacher. Charlie and Bobbie Windmon
where dedicated and passionate members in the Body
of Christ. They served faithfully as members of
Providence Missionary Baptist Church. Charlie worked
at a factory and was the treasurer of the united
rubber workers union. Bobbie worked diligently for
the University of Chicago for 24 years as a housekeeper
as well as cook. They taught their children the
importance of hard work, family solidarity and perseverance.
Charlie Windmon was called home to be with the Lord,
on July 4, 1991. That was his independence day.
The Lord who never ceases to reward the faithful
allowed Bobbie Windmon to subsequently meet and
marry Walker Carter. They've been joined since 1998.
Today Bobbie Windmon and Walker Carter are members
of FWA.
Darnell M. Windmon
is the grandchild of Charlie and Bobbie Windmon.
His mother June E. Windmon is a member of our FWA
Family. June has four children including Darnell,
Jason 25, Jennifer 19, and Chelsea 13. Chelsea and
Jennifer are also members of our FWA family both
highly motivated students. June is a devoted mother
who has worked for the Social Security Administration
for 30 years. June's sister Claudia Bassey who works
in the insurance business is also a member of our
FWA Family. Claudia is the proud mother of two children
and two precious grand daughters Kenneth 36, Erica
30, Deju 9 and Elizabeth 3. Erica and her darling
daughter Elizabeth are also members of our FWA family.
God
has a divine plan for his children and in the summer
of 2001 Darnell met Catrina Allen at South Suburban
College. In 2004 they began to date, and on July
3, 2006 they joined hands in Holy Matrimony. Darnell
and Catrina Windmon have been devoted members of
FWA for over a year and have been active with the
church from the very beginning. Darnell is a youth
Sunday school teacher, and is involved with the
JAM ministry an outlet to minister, and be a mentor
to Harvey's youth. Catrina is a member of FWA's
prayer ministry, and also a member of the membership
intake committee.
Darnell
and Catrina share two beautiful girls, Tanika 23
and Breana 11. Tanika and Breana are both members
of our FWA family. Catrina has 3 sisters and 5 brothers,
and her mom Patricia Sharp is a member of FWA who
currently resides in Minnesota. Darnell has a Bachelor
of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the
University of Illinois at Chicago, and works as
a Project Manger for Joseph Schudt & Associates
Engineering. Catrina also known as Tina has an Associates
of Science degree in Radiology Technology from South
Suburban College and works as a Radiology Technologist
for Ingall's hospital. Darnell enjoys, reading,
tutoring, writing, music, shopping, movies and hanging
out with close friends. In 1992 Darnell was initiated
into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Northern Illinois
University and promotes achievement in all endeavors
and also warrants saints to never underestimate
personal excellence (nupe). Catrina enjoys sending
quality time with her family, watching movies, nature
and traveling. The Windmon's are a God fearing clan.
Darnell and Catrina Windmon love the Lord and seek
his light continually.