MACK PRENTISS SR. (known by his siblings as Sonny Man) was born on March 7, 1925 to Dan Frank and Katie Nailor Prentiss in rural Freetown, Mississippi. He was the 5th born of 10 children.

Mack served his country in World War II in the United States Navy. During his 3-year tenure in the military, he served 15 of those months at Pearl Harbor. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned home to Mississippi, where he began working in the town’s sawmill, earning only 55 cents per hour. During this time several of his nine siblings had already migrated to Chicago and found jobs. Mack’s older sister, Idealia, encouraged him to come to Chicago also and find work so in 1948 he made that journey to Chicago and began working at National Castings Division Midland-Ross Corporation in Cicero, Illinois. He moved into what was then known as a kitchenette apartment with his other siblings, Rosetta, Jesse, Ophelia and Dan on State Street and, later, on St. Lawrence Street. He soon saved enough money to send for his wife, Bernice, who had remained in Vicksburg until Mack could provide for them both in Chicago. Having only been married since May 1947, Bernice arrived from Mississippi by train in 1948 wearing a red dress and red shoes…a story Mack often loved to tell. In this same year, Mack and Bernice welcomed their first son, Mack Jr., to the family. In 1955 they welcomed Gregory to the family and in 1959, they welcomed Kathy. With the untimely death in 1963 of his loving wife, Bernice, Mack demonstrated tremendous strength and wisdom by keeping and raising his 3 young children together. (Mack Jr., age 15; Gregory, age 7; Kathy, age 4)

While Mack, without wavering, accepted the idea of rearing his children alone, God placed Ruby Jackson into their lives in December 1963. Their marriage that same year merged Ruby, along with her son from a previous marriage, with Mack and his children, beautifully blending their families together. To this union one daughter was born in 1968, Shaunille Markita. Shaunille preceded them in death in 1969. In January 1999, after 35 years of marriage, Ruby preceded Mack in death.

In 1971, Mack and Ruby joined New Covenant Baptist Church in Chicago where Mack served faithfully on the Usher Board. That was during a time when church ushers proudly performed their duties in unison…all ushers turned and walked down the aisle almost in cadence, wearing their usher’s badges and white gloves. Mack enjoyed being an usher as it provided him an opportunity to serve in the church.

With 40 years of dedicated employment at Midland-Ross Corporation, Mack retired in 1988. After relaxing for a while and feeling the need for something to do, he completed the requirements for a CDL license and began driving a school bus for Arts Transportation Company. Mack was committed to this assignment for about 3 years before he began experiencing health challenges. He struggled with leaving Arts Transportation because they had become accustomed to his dependability, good work ethic and pleasant demeanor. He did not want to disappoint them, but he knew he needed to take care of himself.

Most friends and family members knew Mack as an easy-going person. It was almost difficult to make him angry. He was always patient, kind, understanding and willing to help in any way that he could. He was truly a family man. Family was very important to him, as he was a firm believer that family should stick together and be there for one another. To his nieces and nephews, he was “Uncle Mack, our favorite uncle.” To his siblings, he was “my brother, Mack…’call Mack, he’ll help.’” To his children, he was affectionately called, “Daddy” (no matter how old his children became, they called him “Daddy,” even with a little whining in it.)

Mack was always closest to his older sister, Idealia. In their family of 10

children, the older children were responsible for the younger ones and Idealia always referred to Mack as “her baby” as she helped to rear and look out for him. In adulthood she was still found cooking some of Mack’s favorite dishes and lovingly caring for him as they enjoyed visits with one another, talking and reminiscing about their earlier years. Idealia was an owner of a drycleaners

where she provided tailoring and clothing alterations. She encouraged Mack to consider entrepreneurship and he also learned to sew and do alterations at Washburn School. During the 1970’s he assumed ownership of Idealia’s drycleaners, Yazoo City Cleaners located at 51st & Calumet in Chicago. During this time, Mack continued working his day job in addition to working hard at the drycleaners evenings and weekends. Mack always believed hard work would pay off and he encouraged his children to work diligently as well.

Some of Mack’s top favorites included: • Watching sports on TV (Baseball, Basketball and Boxing) • Hanging out at the garage on 63rd & Dorchester and working on

cars • Talking about life in Mississippi and the hard work of farming • Wrigley’s Double-Mint Chewing Gum • Chocolate Covered Peanuts from Sears on 63rd & Halsted • Kellogg’s Sugar Frosted Flakes with bananas and half-n-half milk • Home-cooked meals and always something sweet to eat

afterwards • Daily reading of the Chicago Sun-Times and taking naps after

work

If you were to describe Mack, the following words would be fitting:

• Loyal – He demonstrated loyalty in the way he was there for hischildren and his extended family.

• Courageous – Mack demonstrated great courage by keepinghis 3 children together and raising them against many odds afterhis first wife, Bernice passed away.

• Diligent – He worked faithfully at the same company for 40years. He understood and demonstrated the importance of

providing for his family. He always said, “Never quit a job withoutsecuring another one first because working at a job you hate isbetter than being unemployed.”

• Dependable – If he told you that he was going to dosomething, you could count on it. Very rarely did he disappoint.

• Committed – If he started something, he would see it to theend. He was a committed family guy.

• Tenacious – He fought the good fight of faith despite numeroushealth challenges. He demonstrated determination to experiencethe long life that God had promised here on earth.

Mack transitioned from this earthly life, but he continues to live on in the hearts of his family and friends for a lifetime. He will be truly missed by his family: Two sons, Mack Jr. (Delores) and their children, Nechelle, Ashley and Jonathan; Gregory (Valerie) and their children, Armone and Portia; one daughter, Kathy and her son, De’Mar; one step-son, John Jackson (Jay Jay); five great-grandchildren, Devon, Armoni, Omni, Omajae and Aubrey, Jr.; one sister, Rosetta (Esther) Fletcher; one brother, James (Ernestine) Prentiss, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Expressions & ReflectionI am so grateful that you were the one that I got to call my “Daddy”. What a

blessing you were in every stage of my life. From that time in the dining room on 54th Street when I put my arms around your neck and told you, “don’t cry Daddy, I’ll take care of you”, to us sitting at the table on Kimbark and you so patiently helping me with my math homework. You were so determined for me to understand my “timetables”. You let me know that I should at least know how to count my money. Thank you, Daddy! And that one time you took off from work and took me shopping at Evergreen Plaza. You let me pick whatever I wanted…within reason. That was so special to me because you never ever took a day off of work outside of your vacation time. Thank you, Daddy! I think of how you so patiently explained things to me about being a safe driver way before I was of age to drive; always telling me to make sure to keep my eyes on the road and look out for the other guy. Because of that, when it was time for me to complete driver’s education in high school, I passed the course with ease. After all it was like review to me because you had already taught me everything. Then you entrusted me to take your 1968 Plymouth before I even had my driver’s license. That was so against the law, but I felt so good knowing you had such confidence in me. You knew that I could be trusted; and I could because I never wanted to disappoint you. And how could I ever forget the sacrifices you made to send me to college? I am still in awe of your resolve in that situation. Thank you, Daddy! For always being my biggest sup-porter, even when you didn’t quite understand me or fully agree with me…you loved me through it anyway and you believed for the best outcome. Then when De’Mar came along, you were my in-house babysitter even when you had to get up way before day for work. Thank you, Daddy! For all the moments that you kept me laughing by saying things so innocently, especially when you would get the mail and spend five minutes talking about how you didn’t know why you would be getting mail from whatever place it was from because you

didn’t know anyone there. You would stare at that envelope, turn it over a few times and shake your head. Oh how I wanted to snatch it and say, “Daddy, just open it because it’s addressed to you.” But no, I would just let the moment play out because you at least needed to ponder over that envelope for several minutes before you opened it and said, “Oh, I know why they sent me this.” Classic! For all the times you dropped me off and picked me up, many times sitting there in the car patiently waiting while I took my time or talked with my friends…never complaining or blowing the horn or yelling out the window at me, but looking over at me with that reassuring smile once I finally got in the car. Thank you, Daddy! During your senior years when you depended on me for so many things…there were times when I was impatient or frustrated, but mostly I did my best to serve you because that promise I had made to you when I was 4 years old that I would take care of you…well, it was still hanging out there. My, how powerful our words are because I truly got the opportunity to live out that promise. The moments and experiences are far too many to name here, but they are the precious memories that have a resting place in my heart and mind forever; I’ve merely put these few in writing to share with the people here today because you and I had countless times of sharing and talking about what a great father you were to me; and for that I say, Thank You Daddy! Al-though I miss you already more than I have words to tell, I also have peace because there is absolutely nothing left unsaid between us.

Always,

Kathy

Dad, we love you and we will truly miss you. Your son,

Greg (Valerie, Armone and Portia)

Dad, thank you for being an example of how a man should work and provide for his family. So many things stand out in mind about your uniqueness as a father. I remember the excitement of looking out the window watching for you to get home from work. You’d come in and get your newspaper and sit on the couch to read and Momma would start fussing about this or that, but you’d just let her fuss. Then we would have dinner and a great evening together. I’ll miss you Dad.Your son,

Mack Jr. (Delores, Nechelle, Ashley and Jonathan)

Mack, I’m going to miss you man, but I’m glad you are out of your pain and your feet don’t have to be cold anymore.Your brother,

Jimmie Prentiss

To My Brother Mack, you seemed to always be next to me when we were growing up. We shared many secrets and promises. The last time I saw you, you kept calling my name. I wanted to do something to stop your pain. Then when I prayed, I remembered: God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. (Rev. 21:4) Rest in the arms of the Lord.Your Sister,

Rosetta Fletcher

Uncle Mack, I have so many fond memories of you and how you would just show up at my school activities, and even my 8th grade graduation just to smile and be supportive. You had a way of making people feel valued and important and I will always remember that about you. Even after I was an adult you would so graciously come and stay with my mother (your sister, Idealia) whenever I had to go out of town. I even had the adventure of taking you and my mother on a flight to Texas for Stephanie’s book-signing event. I had the both of you in wheelchairs as we made our way through the airports. And how can I forget how you loved to come by our house early on Thanksgiving morning when my mother was preparing the home-made rolls. You loved the smell of those rolls baking. So many great memories! Uncle Mack, you will surely be missed.Your niece,

Barbara Summage

In my early teen and pre-teen years, I loved to spend most of my weekends in Chicago, visiting with my cousins. The South Shore train from Gary, Indian would deposit me at the Dorchester stop, just a few blocks away from Uncle Mack’s house. He would always pick me up, make sure that I was fed and when I was ready to return home, he’d make sure that someone was home to receive me at my train destination. Always pleasant and kind, Uncle Mack never tired of making me feel welcomed each time I showed up, even if unexpected. Fam-ily man that he was, he was always concerned for my safety; if my return trip on Sunday night was too late, as was usually the case, he would wait with me at the station until my train arrived. Never scolding and always wise, Uncle Mack would talk to me about anything, quickly putting me at ease. He was truly a gentle-spirited man of the best caliber and wore the honor of being a gentleman at all times. Unforgettable!

Johnnie McCray, Niece (Sugar Land, Texas)

Praise flowed easily from the mouth of Mack Prentiss. He rewarded me with the highest praise when he came to Texas a few years ago to be a part of the celebration of the release of my second children’s book, Victory. Having him visit was very special, allowing me the chance to engage in frequent conversa-tions with him, soaking up his wisdom. Enjoying family time during that visit, Uncle Mack shared stories of his childhood, including many details that even his older sister, Idealia, had forgotten. That was the best time! His memory was sharp and so was his wardrobe. He turned a few heads at my church, causing more than a few to ask, “Who is that sharp dude?” My proud response was,

“That’s my Great Uncle Mack, all the way from Chicago.” If he had stayed a while longer, I probably could have matched him up with a date!

Stephanie Dawson Glaze, Great Niece (Sugar Land, Texas)

Order of ServicePictorial PresentationMusical Prelude ...................................................... William HamiltonFamily ProcessionalScripture Reading & Prayer .................................... Shalita Williams

“Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother – this is the first commandment with a promise – That all may be well with you and

that you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:2-3 (AMP)

Selection.................................................................. Chanel WareRemarks (Please limit to 3-4 minutes)Resolutions & Acknowledgement of Cards ............ Cheryl DixonObituary .................................................................. Video PresentationSelection.................................................................. Chanel WareEulogy Message ...................................................... Minister John E. KingReviewalRecessional ............................................................. Selections by Chanel Ware

Interment: Lincoln Cemetery – 12300 S. Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

Repast Immediately following IntermentGreater Mt. Carmel Church – 7023 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois

Appreciation

Pallbearers

The family of Mack Prentiss, Sr. would like to express sincere thanks to each of you who called, visited, prayed, smiled, offered words of encouragement and presented gifts of kindness during this time. Please know that your thoughtfulness and support is greatly appreciated.

Faimly & Friends

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