OCTOBER 1, 1921 - NOVEMBER 9, 2021
A
C E N T E N A R I A N ’ S
C E L E B R A T I O N
Catherine Henry was born to Rachel Richardson Coleman & William Moses Henry on October 1, 1921, in Holy Grove, Arkansas. Throughout Catherine’s Journey she met Luther Charles Tarver in Charleston, Missouri and on November 4, 1940, they were united in marriage.
On March 1, 1941, Luther C. Tarver was enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. Shortly thereafter Catherine moved to Chicago, Illinois. In 1942 Catherine started her first job working for O’ Hare Field Factory. Upon returning from the Army, Sgt. Luther Tarver joined his wife in Chicago and through their union Phyllis Marie Tarver was born. After working in O’Hare, Catherine later started working for Auburn Park Cleaners as a tailor / seamstress. While working there she was given the opportunity to sew for performers at the Drury Lane /Martinique Theatre. Upon asking Mother Tarver who were some of the people she sewed for, her memory was sharp at the age of one hundred years old. With excitement she politely said, “Nat King Cole, George Burns, The Staples Singers, Raymond Burr, Lou Rawls and many others. Catherine Tarver was an ambitious woman who pursued her goal through dedication and hard work. Eventually Catherine began working at Rhodes Cleaners on East 79th Street while continuing to work at Auburn Park Cleaners on West 79th Street. When asked what’s your secret to longevity, Catherine said, “that you must keep moving to stay young and the Good Lord”. After retiring from the cleaners she later worked at Fort Pitt Furniture Liquidators in customer service as a salesperson. Once again, she began to use her gift as a seamstress doing alterations of window curtains and furniture upholstery. Catherine Henry Tarver came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a tender young age and was raised in a Christian home.
While sewing was her passion, Catherine “loved” preparing for church on Saturday evening, making outfits for herself and her daughter Phyllis. Catherine attended the Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church later changed to New Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. T.L. White Sr. Serving and assisting Mrs. Ruth White working over the youth and young adult choir. Throughout her hard work, Catherine purchased her first home in the Roseland West Pullman area on the South Side of Chicago, where they joined the First Corinthians Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Claude E. Tears. Catherine Tarver loved people and loved serving. She served as a Sunday School Superintendent, Women’s Ministry Leader, Baptist Training Union Director, and a devoted Teacher and Vacation Bible School Director. She also served as head of the Mothers Board. Catherine attended her church faithfully until the age of ninety-seven when she became homebound and was honored that Deacon Mitchell & Minister Pamela Harris often visited to serve her communion and to share in the word. Family gatherings were important to Grandma Catherine. Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and holidays we looked forward to her cooking, especially the homemade rolls and special dressing. Every Christmas Eve the family would meet at Grandma’s, and she always expected us to be there. One of the traditions of Grandma Catherine is that every child born into the Tarver Family, upon leaving the hospital, must first stop by her home to see the blessings added to the family. October 1, 2021, we celebrated one hundred years of life and on October 2nd we gathered to honor her. Catherine was excited to see five generations of her family, her friends and loved ones sharing her special day. When we asked her how she felt she replied, “it feels like a Holiday”! Her Centennial Birthday Celebration is truly one to remember. Even at one hundred years of age, Catherine was a well-dressed, sharp minded, classy, special woman. A woman of wisdom that when she spoke people listened. On November 8, 2021, she called her family to be by her side for final words. Quoting to her daughter Phyllis, “turn down the light for it is too bright, but it’s beautiful. On the evening of November 9, 2021, Catherine entered her rest speaking of the glory of God and the light that shines ever so bright. Preceding her in death is her Mom Rachel Coleman, her father William Henry, her husband of fifty-two years - Luther C. Tarver, her brother Lawrence Henry, and her Sister Earline Henry. Catherine Tarver’s legacy lives on and her memories are cherished by her brother Dr. Gerald Henry of Los Angeles California, her Daughter Phyllis Marie Tarver of Chicago, Illinois, her five grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, and twelve great - great grandchildren. Host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Order of Service
“With Long Life will I satisfy him and show Him my salvation.” - Psalm 91:16 Friday November 19, 2021
Wake -10:00am | Celebration of Life -11:00 am First Corinthians Missionary Baptist Church 11359 S. State Street | Chicago, Illinois
Processional of Family Old Testament New Testament Prayer Selections First Corinthians Reunion Choir Special Remarks Song Selection Resolution Acknowledgments Obituary Reading Song of Celebration Eulogy Pastor Phillip F. Tarver Closing Prayer & Song: “God be with You” (Grandma’s favorite song) Pallbearers Luther C. Tarver, Sr. Willie Sanders
Mitchell Harris Anthony Walls
Honorary Pallbearers Philip G. Tarver Isaac Tarver Johnathan Tarver Jeremiah Tarver Luther C. Tarver, Jr. Interment Oakridge Cemetery 4111 Roosevelt Road | Hillside, Illinois 60162 Repast United Faith Center Ministries International 15030 Dixie Highway | Harvey, Illinois 60426
Centenarian Celebration
“Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.” - Psalm 145:3-4
Tributes
To My loving Mother I’ve been blessed With many friends to treasure With many mountains to climb Smelling the flowers that blossom Seeing many stars to shine Hearing the birds to sing Having dreams, both small and great But I’ve been blessed with you as my mother Catherine Henry-Tarver The richest blessing of them all! Love your daughter, Phyllis Marie Tarver
Grandma, your love is beyond words to share There is not enough space and not enough time For the things you have done for us over the last “57” years You took us in when we had no place to go Your love and compassion showed up at the door You taught us how to love and to forgive You showed us that family was more than just a friend You gave us the word of God to live by Now we can say we’re stronger than we’ve ever been We will remember the Holidays, to celebrate and cherish one another Finally, we will always hear your voice saying, “Trust God and believe”.
From the Grandchildren Phillip (Vondrea) Tarver, Mia (Willie) Tarver- Sanders, Luther (Ida) Carl Tarver Sr., Joy (Anthony) Tarver -Walls, Michael (Darrell) Tarver
Grandma, we love you dearly. From the moments of comfort, you provided by letting us lay in your bed, to teaching us about The Lord. Let your love roll on like the sweetness of the rolls you made. Thank you for the honor to be loved by you and to carry on your legacy forever! Rest well, Queen! From the Great Grandchildren (4th Generation Grandkids) Philip Tarver, Phylicia Tarver, Isaac (Teresa) Tarver, Tenetia Tarver & Alicia Tarver Johnathan Tarver, Carissa Tarver, Malachi Sanders & Kenichi Sanders Lateesa Tarver, Luther Tarver Jr., Lanese Tarver, Jeremiah Tarver Shanavia Tarver, Anthony (Audrina) Tarver, Shaquille Walls, Aidan Tarver - Walls
Grandma, we will tell our children of the love you have shown us and teach them the way of the Lord.
Great - Great Grandchildren Eden Watson, Issachar Tarver, Uriah Tarver, Levi Tarver, Judah Tarver, Williams David Culbreath Jr., Camia D. Culbreath, Lik’hi R. Walker, Mar’ley J. Walker, Ezra M. David, Naylah Jones, Skylar Walls, Jay’ceon Howard & Raylynn Howard
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Family Acknowledgment
Thank you for your thoughtful expressions of love and condolences, they are deeply appreciated. Your calls, your prayers, your texts, your messages, all the love that we have been shown helped us tremendously and we are forever grateful. All cards and other communications will be viewed and acknowledge by the family. Prayers of blessings to you and once again we say, Thank you!
Johnson Funeral Home Arrangements Entrusted to:
911 S. Kedzie Chicago, Illinois 60612 773 . 719 . 4259