In Loving Memory of Gwen

IN

VI O L

NG MEM

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Gwendolyn STRATTON February 21, 1939 - August 6, 2025

ORDER OF

Service

MASTER OF CEREMONIES Rev. Dr. Samuel Lofton III ORGAN PRELUDE Kameron Lowe PROCESSIONAL PRAYER Anastasia Stratton SCRIPTURE READING Martin Stratton III MINISTRY OF MUSIC Ernest Wilson ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Joshua Chestang RESOLUTIONS Red Hat Society - Classy Sassy Ladies of Illinois American Bridge Association - Midwest Bridge Unit State of Illinois Victory Apostolic Church REMARKS Theresa Willis; Martin Stratton III; Tyler Stratton; Juliana Stratton; Senior Pastor Andrew D. Singleton, Jr. OBITUARY Cassidy Stratton MINISTRY OF MUSIC Ernest Wilson WORDS OF COMFORT Pastor Martin Stratton, Jr. RECESSIONAL Minister Shannon Lowe & Charlese Allen

A LIFE WELL-LIVED Gwendolyn Stratton (Campbell) was born in Chicago, IL, on February 21, 1939, to William & Willie Mae Campbell. Affectionately known as ‘Lil’ Baby’, she was the youngest of the Campbell children. Gwen was baptized and received the Lord at an early age. In her youth, she attended Francis Parkman Elementary School and Englewood High School. It was during this time she met the love of her life and soulmate, Martin ‘Bonnie’ Stratton Sr. The two married on October 21, 1956, and built a life centered on faith, family, and togetherness. A few years later, the Stratton family grew with the birth of their two sons, Martin Stratton Jr. and William Stratton, also known as Marty and Bill.

Gwen dedicated her professional career to public service. She served as a teacher's aide in Chicago Public Schools for 7 years. After her time in CPS, she became a sheriff in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, where she proudly retired after 18 years of service. After retirement, Gwen spent the rest of her life living it to the fullest. She was a lover of Bridge and other card games, and achieved the Silver Diamond level with the American Bridge Association. She also loved travel, shopping, arts & crafts, and cooking. She remained politically engaged, promoting social justice and advocating for her community. She was also a faithful member of Victory Apostolic Church.

What Gwen will be remembered most by is who she was as a person and the light she brought to everyone’s lives. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, cousin, and friend. She had a rare and special gift for making everyone feel like family, whether by blood or by choice. Her heart and her home were always open. She brought people together through her game nights or through sharing her legendary cooking. She passed along her knowledge and wisdom through her storytelling. She was a steady rock for her family and friends, ensuring gatherings were filled with support, fellowship, laughter, and love. Her openness and commitment to her family, friends, and community allowed her to effortlessly bring people together, but it is her warmth and love that kept them there.

Gwen transitioned from this life on August 6, 2025, and her memory will be a blessing to us all. She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Willie Mae, her husband, Martin Sr., and her siblings - Pricilla, Theresa, Viola, Dorothy, Delores, and William. She leaves behind her loving sons, Martin Jr. (Roslyn) and William; her daughter-in-love, Juliana; her grandchildren, Rania (Steve), Joshua, Tyler, Anastasia, Martin III, Cassidy, and Ryan; her great-grandchildren Brielle, Royce, Noelle, and Ayrabella; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and chosen family.

TO YOU, MOM

Tributes

Thank God for dirty dishes; They have a tale to tell.

While others may go hungry, We’re eating very well With home, health, and happiness, I shouldn’t want to fuss; By the stack of evidence, God’s been very good to us.

Growing up, we had this poem displayed in the kitchen of our childhood home on 115th & Bishop. Though brief, the message stuck with us through the years.

Now, as we celebrate your life, we reflect on how this short piece represents you and all that you have been to us.

You taught us to always be grateful for our blessings and to be kind to everyone, no matter what. You taught us to always care for one another, care for others, and care for our community. We were always well taken care of, and we witnessed your sacrifice so that we could have the very best in life. You fought for the less fortunate and were a champion for justice. With everything you did, you gave your very best, and that includes how you chose to raise us as your sons. You went above and beyond to provide for us and express how proud you were of us. Last, but certainly not least, you instilled in us to love and trust God in everything we do. We love you always, Mom, and are so grateful to be a part of your legacy.

Love, Marty + Bill

A TRIBUTE FROM YOUR GRANDCHILDREN Grandma, for most of us, you were the only grandparent we knew growing up and into adulthood. You filled that role with so much love, warmth, and joy that we never felt we were missing a thing.

We will always cherish the memories you gave us—from watching those old black-and-white Shirley Temple films and Zorro episodes, to laughing through Madea movie marathons. We’ll never forget those fun-filled summers, when you let us eat all the junk food we could dream of, took us to Circus Circus and to the Texas casino with Kids Quest, hosted poker nights, celebrated Christmas in July, late night cooking sessions, or let us play dress-up in your massive wardrobe and put on fashion shows in your Vegas home. And then there were the swimming lessons from our Cali cousins who visited—it all felt like magic, because you made it so.

You had a God-given gift for keeping family close, no matter how far apart we lived. You commanded respect and love without ever having to ask for it, and your steady presence shaped who we are today.

We know that you are in heaven looking down on us as we continue your legacy of kindness. It was you who showed us that kindness and family are infinite. We are not bound only by blood but by connections through the heart. Our hearts will remain connected because of your love, and you are forever in ours.

We thank you, Grandma, for every moment, every laugh, every hug, and every memory. We thank God for the life you lived and the example you set. You were —and will always be—the heart of our family.

With Love, Rania, Joshua, Anastasia, Martin III

FROM THE GIRLS Grandma We have so much gratitude in our hearts for having experienced your love and for having had our unique relationships and special moments with you.

We will miss the conversations. Some that were lighthearted and hilarious. Some that were filled with memories, stories, and history. Others that were quite deep and filled with wisdom that we will always carry. And then the one-offs where we would be bickering back and forth about who knows what. Those moments of connection over the phone, over a cocktail, or even while folding laundry have had such a profound impact, and we are forever grateful that we had that time to pause, grow, and share love.

We've always admired the way she took care of people. If you needed a place to stay, a good meal, clothes--whatever it was, you knew you could ask Grandma.

That's why it was always easy to say "Yes" when she would call, and we'd try our best to be there, just as you were for everybody else. You were the epitome of a good friend - the kind of friend everyone needs.

There is truly nothing like a grandmother’s love, and we are beyond grateful to have witnessed yours for the past three decades. As you always said, we’ll get back with ya!

We love you to infinity, T, Cassie & Ryan (pronounced Rahhhn in her voice)

She gave us enough memo

ories to last a lifetime.

Pallbearers

Martin Stratton III Royce Jones Steve Njiemoun Maurice Miller (Honorary) Joesph Lunnon (Honorary)

Joshua Chestang Michael Garner Artry Stratton Lonnie Miller (Honorary) Anthony Lunnon (Honorary)

Thank You

On behalf of our entire family, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has come together to honor and celebrate the life of Gwendolyn Stratton.

Your presence has meant the world to us, and we know that she would be overjoyed by the love and support you’ve all expressed in this moment. Thank you for every call, card, visit, meal, prayer, floral arrangement, and expression of comfort. Your generosity and love speak volumes to the incredible impact that she had on all of us.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Pastor Andrew D. Singleton and the Victory Apostolic Church family for leading us through this service with such grace and compassion. A special thank you also to Evangelist Cherise Robey and the staff at Robey Park Manor Funeral Home for your care and dedication.

We are also deeply grateful to family, friends, and anyone else who had a part in making this ceremony as beautiful as it is. Lastly, the family would also like to honor the memory of loved ones who have gone before us, and whose spirits we feel here with us today.

Today, with your support, we celebrate the life and legacy of Gwen Stratton, a life that touched many, a spirit that lives on through all of us, and a love that remains eternal.

Arrangements

Victory Apostolic Church 20801 Matteson Ave, Matteson, IL 60443 Senior Pastor Andrew D. Singleton, Jr., C.P.A., M. Div. Pastor Martin Stratton Jr., Officiating Robey Park Manor Funeral Home 2510 Chicago Rd, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 (708) 756-2310