IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and achievements of Mary Williams-Neal.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21245, April 17, 2023
INTRODUCED BY Donna Peyton, DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Manuel Abarca IV, and Venessa Huskey, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of former Kansas City Councilwoman Mary Williams-Neal on April 2, 2023; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Williams-Neal was born in Pace, Mississippi, and began attending the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 1969 where she demonstrated her intelligence, spirit, and willingness to listen; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Williams-Neal was a woman of many talents and excelled in various positions, including managing a local McDonalds franchise and working for Hallmark and Gates Bar-B-Q, where she attended its Rib Tech University; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Williams-Neal's passion for community involvement led her to attend neighborhood meetings, where she built relationships with the Hall and Dunn families, who encouraged her to run for City Council; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Williams-Neal was elected as a Third District City Councilwoman in 1995, serving until 2003, during which time she made great contributions to the City and her district, and was known for her "teamwork" attitude and being a strong and caring advocate for her constituents; and,
WHEREAS, Ms, Williams-Neal's civic legacy extended beyond her time on the City Council, including her appointment as a Parks Board Commissioner by Mayor Quinton Lucas in 2019; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Williams-Neal was a member of several boards of directors, including the Mid-America Regional Council, the Kansas and Missouri Metropolitan Culture District Commission, and the 18th and Vine Authority; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Williams-Neal's commitment to serving her community also extended to her role as Founder/CEO of the Get Ahead Club since 1998, and as a member of Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Williams-Neal's legacy of optimism, dedication to public service, and commitment to improving the lives of Kansas Citians will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby honors the life and accomplishments of former Kansas City Councilwoman Mary Williams-Neal and extends its deepest condolences to her family and loved ones; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recognizes her significant contributions to the City and her unwavering commitment to making Kansas City a better place for all its residents.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21245 of April 17, 2023, was duly passed on April 17, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______7________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ____0_____ Absent _____2_______
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature