CHARLIEMAE TOWBRIDGE

Charliemae Towbridge, departed this life to be with the Lord on Sunday, May, 10, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois, after 85 years of a life well-lived.

 

Charliemae's journey began on August 13,1934 in Lonoke, Arkansas. Her parents, Clara McKinley and David Leroy Laster, named Charliemae in honor ofloving relatives, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Mae Frances. Charliemae loved her unique name, Charlie means "free man, and Mae means brilliant, intelligent, plum fruit and beloved. Amazingly, her name captured the essence of her life - one of service shaped by Christian virtues of faithfulness, which are to be trusted, reliable, loyal, punctual, dependable, resolute and unwavering. Charliemae was free indeed. She did not allow anyone or anything, to shackle her from achieving her goals, serving her community and living a faith filled purpose driven life.

 

Charliemae married Warren R. Towbridge,Jr in 1957. She was the mother of three children, Cheryl, Francine and Jerry. Charliemae and Warren divorced in 1963 and the busy go-getter never remarried.

 

Charliemae often spoke fondly of her grandmother Leanna Speed Holloway, an activist involved with the Jane Addams Hull House in Chicago, who inspired her to advocate and fight for her community. Charliemae was always ready to fight for the needs of the people in her community and her workplace. Charliemae won a lot of fights!

 

Among her many elected and appointed  posts, she served as the precinct captain for the 34th Ward, a Delegate  at the Democratic National Conventions in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004, Community and  Legislative Liaison to State Sen. Emil Jones Sr. She also worked as a Computer Support Specialist for the Chicago Police Department and was elected to represent over 1,200 civilian employees as the Union President of Local 654 American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

 

After 40 years of service, she retired from the Chicago Police Department in 1995. She later re-emerged to become the first African American female Chief Clerk for the Cook County Board of Review. She retired from the County Board of Review in 2005.

 

Charliemae had a larger than life personality, if you met her, you never forgot her. During her years as precinct captain she made herself available to her community. Her home was always filled with folks from the 34th Ward. She was kind and made a point of developing relationships with the entire community. She was there to console families when there was a loss and to provide support in every way possible. On the other hand, she enjoyed a good party and was known to be the life of the party and oftentimes the last to leave. Her rich life as a precinct captain provided fond memories in her later years. She loved to recall her precincts  annual  picnic/ parade and was serious about all elections, as she managed the polling location for her precinct. At the end of election night she was always proud to report to Commissioner Frost that 90% of their precinct voted. Charliemae loved her community and felt most connected during the parades and the elections.

Charliemae looked forward to the Democratic Party National Committee Convention, she knew  the importance of voting and wanted the voice of her constituents represented for the election of the Presidential Nominee.

 

Charliemae's organizational and leadership skills were key factors in her appointment as the first African American female Chief Clerk for the Cook County Board of Review, where she managed 45 employees. Charliemae oversaw the hearing process of more than 100,000 real estate properties, annually, working with 350 tax attorneys and helping to ensure county residents were being fairly taxed. She worked closely with commissioners Robert Shaw and Joseph Berrios and retired from the County Board of Review in 2005.

 

The name Mae also means "Great Mother': Charliemae was a member of Starlight St. James Missionary Baptist Church. She loved her church family and served as a"Mother" of the Church. Every Sunday she wore a beautiful "church hat" a crown that symbolized her triumph over hardships and the blessings of God.

 

Charliemae's children shared their mom with a multitude of people in her community. She was affectionately called "Momma T; because she provided guidence, wisdom, and good advice. She loved gardening, cooking and celebrating life. Every holiday people from the 34th ward, political and professional colleagues, church members, friends and family all gathered together in her home for a BIG party or BBQ in her beautiful backyard. Her signature dishes were seafood gumbo, barbequed ribs and chicken noodle soup.

 

As Charliemae's life amazingly embodied her name so did her death. In the month of May on Mother's Day the Lord said to her:

"Well done my good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:23

Charliemae leaves behind her children Cheryl Price (Walter), Francine Towbridge, Jerry Towbridge (Deneen) , granddaughters Ashley Winston and Brittney Winston, brother Andre Laster, nephews Kevin Boone and Tim Laster, nieces, Karen Roberson, Latanya Boone, Christine Boone and Dorothy Steward, cousins Mabel Mason and Benjamin Laster who more like siblings than cousins, lifelong friend Geraldine Norwood Sims,  Goddaughters Brenda Walls and Gia Byers and a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins and friends.

 

Special thanks to Charlies Angels, Pastor Charles Bradford, Trina Brownlee, Tanya Johnson, Beverly Anderson, Charles Sutton, Darren Green, Frank Robinson, Devyann Ward, Denise Evans, Ron Johnson, Sherri Hicks, D.Jefferson, Sabrina Jackson, Troy Banks, Brian Williams, and James Whirl, for their unconditional love and care for her.

Visitation

Taylor Funeral Home LTD

Friday, May 22, 2020 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM 63 East 79th Street
Chicago, Illinois 60619

Live Streaming of Funeral Service

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Starlight St. James Missionary Baptist Church ( type in as shown for proper connection)

11300 South State Street

Chicago, Illinois 60628

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