Abe Jamison

Abe “Tootie” Jamison Jr. was born in Joliet, Illinois, to Eva Mae and Abe Jamison Sr. From an early age, he embraced his faith, accepting Christ at St. John’s Baptist Church. Later, he rededicated his life to Christ and was baptized in Madison, Wisconsin.

Tootie attended Joliet Central High School, where he became a true jack-of-all-trades. As we all know, Tootie had many crafts and talents. He was gifted in drawing, a skilled barber, a lifelong mechanic, a painter, a carpenter, and so much more.

In 1961, Tootie married the love of his life, Eura Lee, in Joliet, Illinois. He fathered eleven children, eight of whom he shared with his beloved wife. Their marriage endured with love and commitment until Eura gained her wings on June 20, 2012.

Through all his many talents, Tootie was especially known for his love of cars. From racing up and down Pequot, to working under the hood, to passing his knowledge down to his sons, Tootie was truly a car wizard. Outside of his work on cars, he was well known for simply “hanging out.” At any given time, you could find Tootie and his loved ones gathered outside his home, enjoying each other’s company .

Tootie gained his wings, leaving behind a legacy of love, faith, and resilience. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eva Mae and Abe Jamison Sr.; his brother, Stanford Jamison; his sister, Sylvia White; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Justice; his brothers-in-law , Donald Justice, Sherman Toran, Robert “Bobby” Justice, Ray Jones, Gregory Jones, and Gary Turpin; his son, Quinn Jamison; and his daughter-in-law, Joanne Jamison.

Tootie leaves to cherish his Mannigdale memories; his sisters, Mona Turpin and Ella Toran; his children, Johnell (Alice) Justice, Keith Jamison, Kevin (Edith) Jamison, Loraine McCord, Lavern (Veronica) Jamison, Antwon (Lakendra) Jamison, Derocthia (Reginald) Sewell, Clarissa Smith, Jamila Watts, and Shawntavia Love; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind three lifelong friends; Johnny Baker, Lavell Gannaway , and Ronald “Crone” Davis; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones to carry on his legacy.

Tootie’s legacy is one of family , love, friendship, and undeniable swag; early morning trips to the flea market, weekend drives to Madison, dumpster diving adventures, a gold tooth, a hat you could never remove, a crooked toupee, a full cup, slow chewing, and a gang of cats waiting on a rib bone. And boy , oh boy , Poppa was a rolling stone. Tootie, was a rolling stone. always moving, always creating, always surrounded by love. Like a well-tuned engine, his heart kept running strong, carrying him wherever life’s road would lead. But no matter how far he rolled, he always found his way back to family . Today , we trust that he has found his way home; reunited with loved ones gone before him, resting peacefully , his engine finally at ease and his hat tilted just right. And as we carry forward his stories, his laughter, and his undeniable swag, we honor the miles he traveled and the love he left behind.

May Tootie's love, legacy and memories live on in our hearts forever.

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