Family and friends of the late Alexis Wilson watched as released butterflies fluttered skyward Wednesday evening, July 27, in Irwin Park. The butterflies represented a consoling image for those gathered to remember Alexis who was killed early July 27, 2021, in an encounter with Dolton police.
More than a dozen people spoke at the memorial event, including her father Alonzo Wilson, her grandmother Blanche Curtis and her brother Christian Wilson who called each speaker forward.
Butterfly imagery wove through the comments, including two original poems titled “My Pretty Butterfly,” and a recollection of her aunt, Latrice Wilson, who saw a butterfly a few hours after she learned of Alexis’ death.
A banner with Alexis Wilson's image is displayed in the gazebo at Irwin Park during a memorial for the H-F High School graduate, who died during an encounter with Dolton police in July 2021. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
“I stepped outside. It was a little bit cloudy. I’m looking up in the sky and all of a sudden the sun appeared,” she said. “I felt like she was talking to me saying, ‘Auntie, I’m all right.’ Then all of a sudden from the corner of my eye I see a butterfly. I felt that butterfly was Alexis.”
The tributes from friends and relatives alternated between smiles at memories of laughter and youthful antics to wrenching sorrow at the loss of friend and promising young woman.
Christian said his younger sister was like his twin. They shared a birth month and similar personalities.
“I used to love my little sister being just like me, getting on mama’s nerves the same way,” he said. “It was moments like (those) that are priceless, so many memories that only me and her share.”
Curtis’ voice broke as she spoke her thoughts of her granddaughter.
“My grief is filled with anger,” she said. “But I thank God for blessing me for being a part of your life, watching you grow into a beautiful young lady and a mini-mom to your brother. Lexi, you will forever be always in my heart.”
Several friends pledged that Alexis’s death had spurred them to greater determination. Tia Ragland said she now keeps Alexis in mind while navigating her own life.
“I keep in the back of my head that Alexis didn’t get the chance to do this, so I’m going to make sure I do it for her,” she said.
Iyeisha Ellis, also said she was motivated by the loss of her cousin to excel, and she envisions Alexis’ smile whenever she faces difficulties.
Ellis followed her comments with a dance in her cousin’s honor.
Another speaker, Marketa Williams Franklin, said she did not know Alexis, but she lives near Baba’s Famous Steak & Lemonade on Sibley Boulevard in Dolton where Alexis was allegedly shot by Dolton police. Franklin said she has bonded with the family since the shooting.
Her two companies, Kat Fran Title Deed and Kat Fran Custom, donated $500 each to establish a scholarship fund in Alexis’ honor. She presented a check for $1,000 to Alexis’ mother, Cara Wilson, and pledged to continue donating each year to keep the fund going.
She said anyone who wants to donate to the fund can contact her at 312-399-4893 or [email protected].
Cara Wilson said the the memorial event was healing.
“It was a chance for us to come together, to talk about the beauty of her, how funny and loving she was,” she said. “It was absolutely beautiful to see all of the people that she loved show up for her. The highlight for me was watching my niece dance to the song we played at Lexi’s funeral. It was absolutely beautiful.”
Amid the laughter and tears there were also expressions of anger at the actions of the Dolton police officers who allegedly shot Alexis and that the Illinois State Police investigation into the incident is not complete after a year.
Wilson filed a federal lawsuit on July 12 claiming the Dolton officers violated her daughter’s civil rights by allegedly using excessive force in their encounter.