Isaac Singleton - Submitted for the USGenWeb by Richard P. Sevier 2/20/2011

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Isaac Singleton - Madison Parish, Louisiana

From Joliet (IL) Herald-News February 20, 2011 & October 4, 2011

Singleton, Reverend Dr. Isaac Age 82, made his transition into eternity on February 10, 2011. He was an only child born to Sarah and Ruben Singleton in Tallulah, Louisiana.

Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton was one of the most influential spiritual leaders of our time. He dedicated his entire life to making a difference for mankind. During the 50's and 60's, Dr. Isaac Singleton played a major role in the civil rights movement. Marching along side of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Singleton shared his dream, his vision, and the struggle for equality. As a result of believing right is right and wrong is wrong, Singleton has gained national notoriety for his efforts in the civil rights movement. Lives have been changed as he stood for justice for all. Dr. Singleton is recognized throughout the world as a leader for all people. He's also recognized as one of the most prolific speaker/teachers of the gospel.

Rev. Singleton pastored the Mt. Zion Baptist Church for 47 years and retired In 2009. Prior to Mt. Zion, he pastored the Russell Street Church in East St. Louis, IL and he pastored the Colette Street Church in Danville, Illinois. For five decades, Dr. Singleton has been spreading the good news of Jesus Christ around the world. Dr. Singleton has served the community, state and nation in many capacities including being among 150 African-American pastors invited to the White House by President Ronald Reagan to consult on civil rights issues.

Rev. Singleton leaves in the loving care of God, his loving wife of 63 years, Pearl Singleton; six children, Gloria Singleton-Hayes, Isaac Singleton Jr. of Joliet, Charles Edward Singleton of Ontario, California, Barbara Ann Edwards of Charlottesville, Virginia, Valerie Jean Singleton of Fontana, California and Willie Darren Singleton of McKinney, Texas. Rev. Singleton is also survived by 19 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. He'll also be missed by the Mt. Zion church family, and a host of relatives and friends.

Dr. Isaac Singleton will lie in repose Saturday, February 19th from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 20th at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 402 Singleton Place, Joliet. From 6:30 to 8:00 p.m there will be musical tributes which includes celebratory salutes and condolences from the community on both Saturday and Sunday. Pastor Emeritus Singleton will further lie in repose at Mt. Zion from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 21st. The home going service will be held at 6 p.m. at the church. Pastor David G. Latimore, officiating. The interment will take place on Tuesday, February 22nd at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL at noon. The repast will follow at Mt. Zion Family Life Center. Minor-Morris Funeral Home 112 Richards St. (815) 723-1283.

From Joliet (IL) Herald-News October 4, 2011

JOLIET — The late Rev. Isaac Singleton, who marched in the civil rights movement and served as a pastor in Joliet for 47 years, was honored Monday as a school bearing his name was dedicated.

Isaac Singleton Elementary School, the newest building in the Joliet Grade School District, will open to students Oct. 11.

On Monday, hundreds of people gathered on a sunny and warm fall morning to remember Singleton.

As a young man, Singleton marched for civil rights with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery and Selma, Ala.

Here in Joliet, Singleton became pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, and saw the church membership rise from 100 upon his arrival in 1961 to more than 2,000 when he retired in 2009.

Pearl Singleton addressed the audience Monday with a love for her husband of 63 years and a sense of humility and faith in God.

“My husband was a great man, is a great man, is still a great man,” Pearl said. “He didn’t do everything I wanted him to do, and I’m sure I didn’t do everything he wanted me to do. But we did our best. We raised six beautiful, intelligent people. We have beautiful granddaughters, grandsons. The Lord has really blessed us.”

“He used to tell me, ‘You are my one wife,’ so I’ll say to you, ‘He was my one husband,’” she said.

The Rev. Singleton was a strong advocate of education and a mentor to thousands of local children, including many in the Joliet Grade School District.

“We honor a man who showed us how to live, who taught us,” said state Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi, D-Joliet. “And as a state senator, a young guy, 36 years old, in my first meeting with Rev. Singleton, he talked to me about education, and how we have to fund our schools in a manner that’s fair and equitable. He talked to me about making sure we fight for our children’s future.”

‘Determined man’

Singleton was born on March 31, 1928, in Tallulah, La. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. He faced racism in the South and during his time in Joliet.

He worked multiple jobs to raise his family of six children while he was pastor of Mount Zion.

He taught his family to endure, to be wise and brave at the same time, to pray, to trust God, to believe, and to get an education — and he endured his struggles humbly, said Pastor Chuck Singleton, son of the Rev. Isaac and Pearl Singleton.

Minister Chevez White, the couple’s oldest grandchild, represented the third generation of Singleton’s family Monday. She thanked leaders on behalf of the 17 Singleton grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

“Once Dr. Singleton set his mind on something, he was determined and focused to see it through, especially when it came to righting a wrong or advocating social change,” White said. “With no bias to color, race or gender, he marched, he picketed, he lobbied, he wrote, he preached, he did whatever he could do to make this city, this state, this country a better place to live, work and raise our families.”

Honoring his efforts

The Rev. Singleton died Feb. 10, 2011.

This summer, the Joliet Grade School Board adopted a resolution that named the new school after him.

On Nov. 9, the community is invited to an open house at the school, 1451 Copperfield Ave. in Joliet.