Yvonne Mauldin

Yvonne Mauldin was born in Mobile, Alabama on August 2, 1941. Yvonne was the 2nd of 7 children born to Ermateen and Tuggy Simpson Sr. who preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Buree Stovall and her brothers Joseph Simpson (Julia), Lenburg Miller (Annie), and Larry Simpson. Yvonne is preceded in death by her brother Tuggy Simpson Jr. and her sister Diana Jones (Jesse).

At an early age, Yvonne accepted Christ in her life serving at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.

After graduating high school from Cedar Grove Academy, Yvonne moved to Queens, NY to follow her dream of being a mortician and tasting big city life. While on break visiting her sister in Chicago, she met and fell in love with a high school class mate, Henry Mauldin Sr. The two married and had two children, Henry Jr. and Martin.

During the next 10 years Yvonne spent time as a homemaker taking care of her children and ensuring they had a loving home. Yvonne successfully raised two young boys alone and ultimately had to re-enter the workforce. Yvonne attended Bartending School and became a master mixologist. She worked at local supper clubs and bars. While working as a mixologist, Yvonne created a family environment where everyone called her “Auntie”. She went on to pursue her career as a singer where she graced the stage singing back up for Tyrone Davis and the Bobby Blue Bland.

In 1972, Yvonne met Henry “Mickey” Cogwell Jr. where she found her niche helping organize the hotel and restaurant workers. Yvonne went back to school, attending Roosevelt University along with Mickey and received a certification in Labor Leadership. They were then asked to start a local chapter of the AFL-CIO’s labor organization. Working closely together, Yvonne fell in love with Mickey and had their daughter, Hanae. Yvonne became the Vice-President of the local AFL-CIO chapter organizing restaurant and hotel workers throughout Chicago. Yvonne was dedicated and committed to her local chapter which garnered an invitation to the inauguration of President Richard Nixon.

In 1999, Yvonne worked alongside her childhood friend, Mary Dickens-Smith at Apostolic Youth and Family Services. She worked at Apostolic Youth and Family Services for 15 years and looked forward to work every day. She enjoyed learning about new families, assisting families in need and ultimately became a resource for her company. Yvonne had an infectious personality and work ethic that all loved. Yvonne had a reputation for being honest, dependable, reliable and determined. She built relationships with everyone in the court system which created deep-rooted respect in her field.

Yvonne enjoyed watching sports, especially football. She was a die hard Bears and Bulls fan. Regardless of the day’s events she would not miss a game. We will all miss hearing her loud screams at the television of a missed call, dropped ball or foul play. She enjoyed playing cards with her friends and family. She looked forward to going over her brother Lenburg’s house, where they would play cards to the wee hours of the morning. Yvonne adored Christ and loved attending church. She religiously went to service every Sunday until she fell ill.
Even through all of her sickness she still rose Sunday mornings at 8:00am to watch the televised worship services.