St. Clair Booker Funeral 04142021

0004172021_PUSH St. Clair Joseph Booker, Jr.

1 / 400

0004172021_PUSH St. Clair Joseph Booker, Jr.

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 14: Celebration of Life For St.Clair Joseph Booker Sr.
February 4,1927 - April 5, 2021

St. Clair Joseph was born February 4th, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to St. Clair and Idonia Booker. St Clair was the second child born to this union. His parents along with his sisters Alice LaVergne, Marie Antoinette and his brothers Ira Carl (Cookie) and Paul Verdane preceded him in death.

St. Clair received his education in the Chicago Public System. He attended Copernicus Elementary, Lindblom High School, and Dunbar High School. Before St. Clair could finish school, he was drafted into the United States Army. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in his second year of service. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1953 and transferred to (ERC) Enlisted Reserve Corps for five years. Upon returning to Chicago he continued his education.

St. Clair made no bones about who his favorite sibling was “Marie” and through her he met the love of his life Audrey Cloyd. Audrey observed a picture of him on Marie’s desk and asked “who is that”. When Marie stated ‘that’s my brother” and Audrey responded “that’s going to be my husband”. Thus the courtship began through correspondence. Within six months of returning home they were married. In 2020 they celebrated 67 years of marriage. They shared many wonderful experiences together and loved to travel with friends and family. When you saw them together you saw and felt the love. They provided a loving home for members of their family and guidance to many. Sharing wisdom, and love through generations.

St. Clair was an avid Jazz Lover and he had an extensive Jazz music collection. When asked who was his favorite he responded “The Pres” Lester Young.

St. Clair worked at Dial Chemical Company for several years, but the entrepreneurial spirit in him was burning. After meeting his ride one night, he decided that her was never going back to that job. This was the beginning of a new journey for him and he started a limousine service with his first son Mike. He often stated “I asked the Lord for a Cadillac and He blessed me with Cadillacs”. Often saying “you have not because you ask not”. Later they expanded their ventures and started MIST vending machine service.

St. Clair was employed at Union Carbide and as a result of his work; St. became the 1st Black Urban Exec at National Tea Company. In 1966, St. Clair joined SCLC Operation Breadbasket now (Rainbow PUSH Coalition). He began as a volunteer, acted as a Freedom Fighter and a Picket Captain. He was very instrumental in many firsts, such as Boycotting of Dean Milk and A & P, bringing the 1st Black Easter, 1st Black Christmas, and the 1st Black Expo to Chicago. He was very competitive, comparing his team of boycotters to others.

St. Clair and the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. began a father/son relationship, and he later took on a leadership role as head of his security. Their friendship and respect for one another developed, that it was said and understood that if anything every happens, he and Audrey would assume responsibility for all the Jackson children.

St. Clair and Rev. Jackson traveled the world together for over 20 years, visiting numerous countries and meeting with several dignitaries.

St. Clair had many sayings that were scriptural to him, like I had the best daddy in the world, Thank God for Christian parents, God ain’t made one of nothing, I don’t have corns on my hands because my daddy said “use your brain, not your back”, “Work smart not hard”

St. Clair joined Fellowship Baptist Church April 15th, 1973, under the leadership of the late Rev. Clay Evans, and served on the Deacon Board, Trustee Board, head of the Benevolent Committee, Tithers Club Deacon, and on the Board of the Fellowship Credit Union. In later years St. joined the Centennial MBC under the leadership of Pastor J. Derrick Anderson, and attended faithfully until his wife Audrey’s health began to decline.

After the transition of his wife Audrey, St. moved to the home of his niece Kathy in Harvey, Illinois, where he spent time listening to jazz, watching television, talking to friends and family on the phone and praising GOD.

Allen, Jeffery, Larry, Darnell, Doyle, William, Kwanza, and Khobi. Extended Family, Rev. Jesse L. And Jacqueline Jackson, Sr., Santita, Jackie, Jesse Jr., Yusef, Jonathan, and the entire Jackson Family, Michael Knighten the first son, Nicole Knighten, Kimberly Knighten Trueblood, and the entire Knighten Family, Favorite Cousin LaVerta and family, Babyboy (Keyonne), Special Friend Jerome (JJ) Jones (Deb). St. Clair leaves a host of others that he thought the world of too many to name.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE HONORING ST.CLAIR JOSEPH BOOKER, SR.

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021
Visitation: 11:00 AM Service: 12:00 PM

Organ Prelude
Processional-Clergy and Family
Prayer-Rev. Janette Wilson

Scripture
Musical Selection-Glenda Griffin
Remarks-Rev. Dr. Roland Booker, Jr., Jesse Jackson Jr.

Acknowledgements/Resolution-Tina Griffin
Musical Selection-Santita Jackson
Tributes-Nicole Knighten, Michael Knighten
Musical Selection-Darius Brooks, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Rev. Al Sharpton

Reading of the Obituary-Glenda Griffin
Musical Selection-Santita Jackson
Eulogy-Jonathan Jackson

Reviewal
PALLBEARERS
Keyonne Burrell, Darnell Cloyd, Omarr Franklin, Kwanza Hall, Jerome (JJ) Jones, Kerry Sawyer

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Christopher Buckley, Larry Pittman, Michael Knighten, Eric Burrell

INTERMENT
OAKWOODS CEMETERY 1035 E 67TH STREET CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60637.

ARRANGEMENTS ENTITLED TO: EVANS FUNERAL HOME LTD 6453 SOUTH ASHLAND
AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60636 DORIS M. EVANS-YORK, LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR

on April 14, 2021 at Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters in Chicago, IL

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Rainbow PUSH Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 (Photo by John L Alexander/Rainbow PUSH)