National Women of Colors Cancer Foundation

Before he became a permanent Chicagoan, life’s journey took Will Troy Elliott through many cities, towns, communities, and neighborhoods.  From his native, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, known for legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and Crimson Tide football, to the cities of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Cincinnati, Ohio, Los Angeles, California and the crystal shores of Belize, Central America. Residents of these communities got the opportunity to meet and know Will as one who gave of himself to foster happiness in others.

As a young man, Will was among one of the first African-Americans to manage two Howard Men’s Store in Evergreen Plaza and on sixty-third. This was a significant achievement considering he grew up in the segregated south.

He attended Washburne Culinary Institute and was known as the Pampered Chef, because he always pampered people’s spirits by preparing delectable food with a great deal love.  

He worked for Amtrak Passenger Train for more than 15 years.  After his retirement, he became a licensed nail technician owning and operating three nail salons, La Essence Cosmetics Inc.
He was a nail designer for more than 20 years.

He was a founding member of the National Women of Colors Cancer Foundation, and actively served on its National Advisory Board until his ill health. Through his affiliation with NWCCF, he was able to stimulate moments of happiness in the lives of cancer survivors and their caregivers, as well as promote greater awareness for the need to pamper the spirit of cancer survivors and their caregivers through their “Check Yourself” national campaign.

During his life’s journey, he always saw a greater need.  First, he saw the need for humanity to be concerned about the health and well-being of others.  Secondly, he saw the need to place emphasis on loving the unlovable. Will Troy Elliott succumbed to his battle with Lung Cancer January 30, 2009.   

To donate in memory of  Will Troy Elliott

Will Troy Elliott’s most memorable quote,

“I am an Impressionist and I am here to

make an Impression on you!”

ABOUT Donald Michael “TREE” Robinson

 February 26, 1940- September 26, 2009

I bring you greetings and an expression of sympathy for the family from John Taylor, President/CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Washington, DC. He and Tree really liked each other, but John could not be here.

I’ve known Tree since I was 19, and he was 29. As I was thinking about what I wanted to say about Tree, I realized that a bunch of it cannot be talk about in public, can’t talk about it in mixed company, and certainly can’t talk about it in church, but I know God has forgiven us for all of it.

I wrote a nine page piece and struggled to reduce it to two pages. I tore up the draft, threw it in my recycle bin, and went back to re-read the piece, and realized I had thrown away the finished version…strange state of mind. I recovered the torn papers, and as I set there laughing at my error, I was put on Raul Midon’s CD, “State of Mind.” I heard something that fit Tree in most of the songs, so I re-wrote my remarks based on a couple of the songs. ”I Want to be Rich,“ and “Everybody is Somebody.”

“Everybody is somebody and everybody is free to make a difference in this world. There is a reason for everyone’s time on earth – wondering why we should care?” “ Everybody’s talking about going to heaven, have a little bit of heaven right here on earth, troubled times lead to healing times, everybody is feeling fine, it’s the taking and giving that makes this life worth living.” Tree wanted to be rich in money but he chose to be happy. Yes, Tree was happy because he was rich in consciousness and in his heart. Tree’s life was worthy and he made a significant difference in this world.

Over the years, I’ve been friends with a number of national and international leaders whose work resulted in people living better. “You don’t have to be a big celebrity to feel the power in your soul. You don’t have to be a big star on MTV, to realize in your eyes is a view that (maybe) only you can see.” This can also be said about Tree. I met Tree after he had been wounded in Vietnam…many people benefited from his efforts. When Tree was in the VA hospital, I watched a nurse and medical technician comparing a series of codes to make sure they were going to give Tree the right blood plasma transfusion. I told them how some 15 or so years ago, Lonnie Carter, President of the Veteran’s Union, and Tree as his vice-president had been involved in a struggle with the VA Hospital Administration about 25 vets being killed by being given wrong blood, and that the system of checking for the right codes that they were using was a result of that past struggle.  So, many years later, many vets, including Tree, were benefiting from his own work.

Betty Jean, I saw how you have done your ceilings and walls, they are pretty. Tree did the same patterns on my living room, dining room, hall way walls and ceilings, but with a thicker mixture. Tree was about 56, working hard and sweating for days…and he charged me no money. I saw him fix things on the homes and businesses of many people who could not afford to pay a contractor to do it. Every winter during the snow and ice, Tree would drive us out to any large empty lot, and at fast speeds we would slide and skid just to see what the car would do. You know at first I thought he was crazy…and maybe he was, and I became crazy with him, but last February, I was driving 71-south from Cleveland during that big ice storm. I went into a fast skid, and the training that God gave to Tree, that he gave to me saved me from a major disaster.

Tree never told me he was my friend. So, I ask you, “How does it feel when someone reveals (through their actions) that you have found a friend?” I believe that answer is why most of you are here today. A few months ago, Deborah Green-Boone, Founder of the National Women of Colors Cancer Foundation (NWCCF), went with me to see Tree in Cincinnati. She took Tree flowers, a big balloon, and a card. He was so happy, that he pulled his check book out and became only one of three male members of NWCCF. The first male member, Troy Elliott, passed earlier this year of cancer, and with Tree’s passage I am the only male member left. Men, you must get involved in this cancer survival and pampering the spirit effort of NWCCF.

The Tuesday before Tree passed, Deborah and I visited him at the Hospice in Middletown. On this occasion, I had the clear advantage…Tree could not talk back at me. God gave me a chance to say: Forgive me for any wrongs I have done to you, especially the wrongs for which I am unaware. I told him I forgave him for any wrongs he had done to me, but I had already forgotten them. I reminded him of our conversations about God giving us choice to use this time on Earth to become more like God’s loving side. I thanked Tree for being an older brother to me and giving me his advice…and he had lots of it, as he gave me his love.

I must confess out loud – I don’t know how to feel…sometimes I am just numb. But, I am so grateful that he is no longer in pain, in despair and uncertainty about living on and death. I already miss that I can’t call him or go see him – I am sad. But, in my mind, I can still hear his voice and see his face, and as time goes by I will celebrate Tree in my memories and pictures.

So, today, I celebrate Tree’s successful passage, and I pray for Tree and for all of us – here is to hope and time.  Amen.

Morris Williams – September 2, 2009 – Mt Zion Church, Middletown