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St. Louis City Resolution Number 302 February 3, 2012 |
| Resolutions adopted during the 2010 session by the St. Louis City
Board of Aldermen have been converted to electronic format by the staff of the St. Louis
Public Library. This electronic version has been done for the interest and convenience of
the user. These are unofficial versions and should be used as unofficial copies. Official printed copies of St. Louis City Ordinances may be obtained from the Register's Office at the St. Louis City Hall. |
George Cheers
Whereas, George Cheers was born in a little town west of St. Louis called Eolia, Missouri to the late Lucius and Virginia (Virgie) Wilkerson Cheers. He is the youngest of eight children, all except one sister are deceased; and
Whereas, in the early 1950's George moved to St. Louis to become an educator. George was the first and only child in his family to graduate from high school. George wanted to attend Lincoln University, but moved to St. Louis; and
Whereas, in St. Louis he got a job at a glue factory. He worked there for a short time until he met the love of his life, Ms. Ruth Merial Johnson. In 1952, they married and in the same year, George was drafted into the United States Army where he served two years in the Korean War; and
Whereas, after serving in the military, George moved back home to his wife and their first child Valerie JoAnne was born. In 1954, George began his career at Monsanto Company where he worked for over 33 years, not to mention, he worked several part-time jobs to make ends meet for his family. In 1954, his second oldest child Tamara Denise was born. In 1958, he finally got a son, Richard Garcia. Also in that year, George started his part-time job at The Church of the Good Shepard in Town & Country, Missouri where he worked part-time for over 34 years. In 1959, Kathy Lynn was born and almost ten years later he had another little girl, Carlotta Michelle; and
Whereas, at one time, he worked one full-time job and two part-time jobs until retiring at Monsanto Company in 1985. George was a dedicated hard worker. He did what it took to take care of his family. In fact, George worked tirelessly at the Church of the Good Shepard until he had a stroke in 2005. From 2000-2005 George worked hard taking care of his wife Ruth as her health began failing her. In 2005, Ruth, who had Multiple Sclerosis had to have triple by-pass surgery. George provided the best care possible for his wife until her death in 2005; and
Whereas, while working several jobs, George still found time to interact with his children by picking them and their friends up to go to and from various extracurricular activities before and after school. He has always opened his home up to family and friends. He has helped raise many children and grand children; and
Whereas, during all of this, George served his community as well by attending several block unit and neighborhood association meetings. Also, he was the Captain for Night Out on his street, Drury Lane in which that year, they won! He worked tirelessly in efforts like Operation Brightside to keep the neighborhood clean. Not to mention, he was a member of the Urban League. George loved helping people. He would give money to neighbors in need. While taking care of his sick wife, he also looked after his older sisters Mable and Francis. He would assist his sister Mable with her yard work, take her to meetings and drive her where she needed to go until she was unable to drive herself; and
Whereas, in the early 80's George joined the New Northside Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Emeritus Pastor, Bishop W. J. Ellis, Jr., where he worked in the Berean District with the Laymen. In addition to serving on the Deacon board, George loved to sing, he was a member of the New Northside Male Chorus and one of the first members of the Willie J. Ellis, Jr. morning Gospel Choir. George still finds time to come to church.
Now therefore be it resolved by the Board of Aldermen of the City of St. Louis, that we pause in our deliberations to recognize George Cheers and his many accomplishments and we further direct the Clerk of this Board to spread a copy of this Resolution across the minutes of these proceedings and to further prepare a commemorative copy to the end that it may be presented to our honoree at a time and place deemed appropriate by the Sponsor.
Introduced on the 3rd day of February, 2012 by
Honorable Gregory J. Carter, Alderman 27th Ward
Adopted this the 3rd day of February, 2012 as attested:
_____________________
David W. Sweeney
Clerk, Board of Aldermen____________________________
Lewis E. Reed
President, Board of Aldermen