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FUNERAL HOME

A.A. Rayner & Sons Modern Funeral Service - Chicago

318 East 71st Street

Chicago, Illinois

Earlean Lindsey Obituary

Lindsey, Earlean A Champion for Social Justice on the Westside of Chicago, Community Organizer, Activist, Mother and Friend. Mrs. Earlean Lindsey, was born on Tuesday, August 4, 1925, in Sawyerville, Alabama, a small rural community of slightly over 1,000 people. She was one of 18 children and the mother of 10. She was called to her final rest on January 8, 2014 in Chicago. Mrs. Lindsey spent her early years in rural Alabama. She began working in the cotton fields at age 8 while also attending school and cooking and cleaning at home. At age 10, she watched her mother die during child birth. This event guided her life's work as an advocate for accessible, affordable, quality healthcare for low-income people. In 1946, she was part of the great southern migration to Chicago. As she put it, "she fled the cotton-fields and the stifling racism for a better life up north". In Chicago, she began to see that the same injustices she fled from were wearing different clothes but it was there. She resented the fact that after 6:00 p.m., she had to carry "an ID card" that showed the name of her employer whenever she traveled east of Cottage Grove. In 1959, when she finally moved from the southside to the Westside of Chicago, where she would begin a remarkable career as a "community organizer" that lasted decades. Mrs. Lindsey was a strong advocate for healthcare and education, however she believed in attacking any issues that contributed to the decline of her community or its residents. With courage, common sense, faith and a strong sense of purpose, Mrs. Lindsey fashioned a remarkable life dedicated to social justice. U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis referred to her a "true Champion for the People of the Westside of Chicago" Some of Mrs. Lindsey's notable accomplishments included: One of the pioneers in the advent of Community Health Centers and served on a committee for President John Kennedy's Commissions on Community Mental Health Centers; One of the founders of the Mile Square Health Center and worked there for 20 years; Founding member and board member emeritus of the Center for New Horizons; Original member of the University of Illinois Urban Health Program Advisory Council; Member of the University of Illinois Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center's Community Advisory Council; Founding member of Chicago Commons Association's Jackie Robinson House; Members of the Westside Association for Community Action (WACA), where she was elected President for life; In 1984, she sued the Chicago Board of Education over illegal practices and won; She has received hundreds of local and national awards. She was recognized in the U.S. House of Representatives for her community service and in 1998, in her honor, the city of Chicago dedicated the street corner of Damen and Washington, Earlean Lindsey Drive. As much as she was devoted to her community, she was equally faithful to her family and her church, Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's Westside. Contributions in the memory of Mrs. Lindsey may be sent to the Westside Association for Community Action, 3600 West Ogden Blvd., Chicago, IL. Mrs. Lindsey's funeral arrangements will be: Friday, January 17, 2014 Viewing Visitation, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., AA Rayner & Sons, 5911 West Madison St., Chicago, IL 60644. Saturday, January 18, 2014 Wake 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Funeral 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church, 1901 West Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612. Interment immediately following service Mount Glenwood-West Cemetery, Willow Springs, Illinois. Repast: Major Adams Community Center, 125 N. Hoyne, Chicago, Illinois 60612 immediately following burial.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jan. 15, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Earlean Lindsey

19 Entries

Marvin and me just a few years ago. Earlean is to my left chatting it up with my mother.

Debbie Golden

January 28, 2014

I am so sorry that Earlean has passed on even though I know where she has landed will be the reward she deserves. Earlean was a large part of my childhood. She gave my family, her son, Marvin, to watch over and take care of. To this day, he is "my brother from another mother". I am a better person for having had Earlean in my life and learning about things I would have had no way of knowing if it wasn't for her. My wish for the family is PEACE with the certainty that from where she is, she is can see again and she is watching every one of you every day! My advice is behave yourselves!

Cynthia McCarroll Coleman

January 24, 2014

Dear Marvin, I only found out about your Mom's passing through social media when I was trying to touch base with you. I was saddened by this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I remember our conversations about how much you loved your mother and how she loved and supported you and your siblings. She was an amazing woman judging from what I have heard from others who knew her well. I am very sorry that I did not meet her, but I have read and heard NOTHING but great things that she did for her children and for the community. I know you will miss her, but I also know that her memory will be with you always.

Margaret Wieczorek

January 23, 2014

Marvin Dear,
My heart goes to you and your Family. My sincere condolences and keep the great memories about your Mother forever. Miss you Marvin..ski

Kelly Martin

January 23, 2014

An amazing woman who will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

Alisú Schoua-Glusberg

January 23, 2014

Dear Marvin, what an incredible woman your mother was. Clearly she will be sorely missed by many many people whose lives she must have touched.

Vincent Miller

January 21, 2014

Will miss you

Ickeya Glover

January 17, 2014

Uncle Marvin and Aunt Beverly I'm praying that God give you strength through your difficult time.

Pat Williams

January 17, 2014

Praise God, I have been Blessed too have known this great Woman and will miss our many conversations over the phone. Mother Lindsey what a Blessing your are, you will be missed.

Regina Ward

January 17, 2014

A woman of substance, pride, and leadership. You will be missed.

Donna Reed

January 16, 2014

Many hold on to the memories of Mrs. Lindsey, the human rights activist/community organizer. However, my fondest memories of her will always be the motherly role she played in my life as she diligently tried to guide me following the death of my mother. She would always tell me and her son Michael (my BEST male friend), how smart we were and advise us to get our lives on the right track. I'm sure that learning that her words were not in vain forever, made her proud. RIP Mother Lindsey...My condolences to the entire family, biological and extended.

Carolyn Reed

January 15, 2014

I had the pleasure of growing up 2 doors down from Mrs. Lindsey in Henry Horner. She was a woman of great strength with a very powerful presence. Her kindness to me over the years will never be forgotten. My sincere sympathy to her family and her many, many friends. Rest in Peace, Mrs. Lindsey!

Virginia Hunter Olive

January 15, 2014

Such a wonderful part of my childhood. I will forever remember all she did for the children of Henry Horner. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family . Rest in peace Mrs. Lindsey

January 15, 2014

What a sweet sweet memory of my childhood. She contributed so much. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of this wonderful woman. Remembering her smile. Rest in peace Mrs. Lindsey

Corren Evans

January 15, 2014

Growing up in Henry Horners Homes in the 60's thru 80's, but family having come from the great southern migration to the west side in the early 50's, we all knew Ms. Lindsey. May her family find comfort in knowing she helped a lot of people on the westside & in Chicago. May she rest in peace.

Carolle Delaney Mastin

January 15, 2014

I lovingly call her my Godmother, mentor, friend and one who inspired, and encouraged me to join Trinity United Church of Christ where I have been a member since 1979. I Thank her family for letting her love me. To God be the glory for her life, love and legacy. I miss her, Carolle

Ruby McLoyd

January 15, 2014

I will miss you.

Germaine Coleman-Newsome

January 15, 2014

Mrs. Lindsey was such a great influence. I watched her fight for our community and give of herself to causes she believed in and to people she believed in. She believed in us. Her influence will forever be in my heart. Thank you Mrs. Lindsey for showing me the way to go. I will never forget who I am or where I come from. Many thanks to the Lindsey Children for sharing your loving mother with us all. God Bless you and Keep you.

January 15, 2014

I had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Lindsey years ago around issues concerning the U of IL. She was a stalwart organizer, and I send my sympathies to her family and her community.
Alice J. Palmer

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