Yolanda Rena Mallory

Yolanda Rena Mallory, aka, "Lonnie" was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 24, 1957, to Wadell Towns and Erma Jean Mallory. Yolanda was raised on the south side of Chicago and was the oldest of seven children. In her younger years, Yolanda attended Fort Dearborn for elementary and Calumet High School for her secondary education.

Post high school, in the early 80's, Yolanda attended MSTA Business College where she mastered the skills of legal transcription and word processing. In the late 80's, Yolanda attended Dudley's Beauty College where she gained skills in cosmetology. She later went on to work for Soft Sheen Products. In 2009, Yolanda became a National Certified Medical Assistant, providing support to doctors and other medical professionals in various clinics.

In her personal life, Yolanda became a mother as a teen. Her first born was a son, Darren "Sharnie" Mallory.  She later mothered, two girls, Sharonda "Teniah" Brown, and Ameniah "Tierra" Mallory. Yolanda loved her children. She was immensely proud of being their protection from others, their provider, their chef, and their stylist.  More often than not, "Lonnie's" children, came with a disclaimer: "I will fight anyone over my babies…"

Outside of her children, Yolanda loved, "love." She was married and divorced more than most and was not afraid to try until she "got it right." She was a hopeless romantic. Her favorite movies were "Indecent Proposal, Pretty Woman and Mahogany." Her music selections included anything from "Aretha Franklin, Phyllis Hyman, The Stylistics, Yolanda Adams, John P Kee, Kem" and a host of others from gospel and rhythm and blues genres.

Socially, Yolanda was the "life of the party." She loved her "drank," her music and her friends. "Girl-time" was the best, and she enjoyed spending time with friends, when she could. Her best friends included Linda, Dottie, Jocelyn, Betty, Renee, Patricia, and many other childhood friends.

In her family life, Yolanda was the "enforcer." Let her tell it, she raised everyone and changed their diapers.  She and her mother, Erma were close, some would say, "like" sisters. They spoke on the phone every day, multiple times a day and proved they could weather any storm. Her sisters, Ercel (Yvette) and Ameniah (Mena) she loved dearly.  Like most sisters, they often bonded over hair styling, cooking, the holidays, their children, music, bickering, and fashion. Her brothers, Darryl, Antone (Jemille), Mark, and Keith were everything to her. In her eyes, she was their ultimate protector and thought she could, "take," them if either of them "tried" her. Yolanda had two grandsons, Tyvon Lesure (24) and Darren Thomas (13). While she hoped to spend more time with them, she loved them and just wanted to be, "their Grandma Lonnie."

Just like her own, Yolanda loved her nieces and nephews very much: Jonda (Tyree), Trone, Misha, Quintin, Princeton, Sharday (Ashley), Kwanez and Jordan. She was remarkably close to them and gave her "last" to them when she could.

Spiritually, Yolanda believed in God. At a young age, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was baptized and believed herself to be covered with the blood through all trials and tribulations. Her favorite quote was, "God got me" and throughout her entire life, she moved in that purpose. Yolanda leaves behind, her mother Erma, her two daughters, Teniah & Tierra, her grandchildren, Tyvon & Darren; her siblings, Yvette, Jamille, Mark and Mena; her special friend Lazarus Holliday Jr; her nieces, nephews and a host of cousins and friends.

Yolanda was preceded in death by her father, Wadell; her son, Darren; her brothers, Darryl and Keith; her niece, Sharday; and her best friend Linda. Yolanda can be certain that she is at peace now, knowing that "God got ALL of them."