Joe-Ella Williams Memorial Garden

Contact Information: Dr. Shemuel Israel at nlgreeningcommittee@gmail.com
Address: 3817-19 W Flournoy Street
Neighborhood/Community Area: North Lawndale
Garden Established: 1985
Protected by NeighborSpace: 1998
Social Media/Website: 
Facebook: @nlgreeningcommittee
Website: nlgreeningcommittee.org
Community Partners: 3800 West Flournoy Street block club

About the Garden: 
This beautiful garden features summer annuals, a winding path, beautiful shrubs and trees, and many perennials and bulbs. This garden won the Mayor’s Landscape Award in 2000 and the Neighborhood Leadership Award in March 2007.

In 2015, Alderman Michael Scott, Jr., NeighborSpace, daughters Ernestine and Jereline Williams, granddaughter Sheryce Young and the community of the 3800 Block of West Flournoy Street joined to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Joe-Ella Williams. Mrs. Williams passed away on February 28, 2015, she was a gardener, a matriarch of the 24th Ward, president of the 3800 West Flournoy Street block club and former precinct captain. Mrs. Williams was a mother and father to all who crossed her path including ministers and politicians. She resided at the same address for over 56 years. A proclamation for Mrs. Joe-Ella Williams was originally initiated by former Alderman Michael Chandler and his chief of staff, Trina Mangrum.

August 21, Ms. Williams’s birthday, was officially named Joe-Ella Williams Day by the City of Chicago. In her memory, the 3800 block of West Flournoy was renamed “Joe-Ella Williams Way,” and the 380 W Flournoy Block Club Garden was renamed the Joe-Ella Williams Memorial Garden.

Mrs. Joe-Ella Williams was an extremely important and active mentor of the community and looked after this NeighborSpace-protected garden.