Mr. Malcom O. Ivy

Malcom Orlando Ivy, affectionately known as “Mal” was born May 22, 1965, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Elder Hubert and Katherine Ivy. He was the baby boy and the seventh of eight children born to this union. He was preceded in death by both parents, Elder Hubert and Katherine Ivy; his sister, Sandra Renee Ward; his brother, Eric Darnell Ivy; his son, Christian Malik Ware; and his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Sylvester.

He confessed his faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized in the name of Jesus at the Lively Stone Church of God under the leadership of the late Bishop P.L. Scott. Malcom loved the Lord and remained a devoted servant allowing the Lord Jesus Christ to rule and be the center of his life. Over the years in Chicago, IL, he fellowshipped at the Apostolic Faith Church under the leadership of Bishop Horace E. Smith, M.D.; New Mt. Moriah Mission Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Marvell Williams; and Wheaton Christian Center under the leadership of Senior Pastor, Paul D. Arthurs.

Malcom's affection for his family was immeasurable. His greatest joy resided in the moments he spent cherishing his wife and overpouring his love to her in every way possible. His sons were a bright spot in his life, and he loved them dearly. He adored his five grandchildren and loved spending time with them, which elevated his spirits. He shared an unbreakable bond with his brothers, younger baby sister, nieces and nephews.

Malcom possessed an inspiring presence and exceptional ability to make each encounter with him a personal and meaningful experience. His discerning spirit allowed him to foster a quick rapport with people by understanding their emotions and desires. Conversations with him were intellectually stimulating; he had thought-provoking questions to pose and challenges to stimulate the mind while learning more and sharing his knowledge. He challenged himself and others to be the best version of themselves today and thrive in being more excellent tomorrow.   Malcom's vibrant and spirited disposition enabled him to share his faith in TRUSTING & BELIEVING in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which inspired others.

Malcom was an explorer at heart, eager to discover different corners of the world. He was blessed to visit several countries in Asia, Europe, and North America. He enjoyed learning about the unique heritage of each country he visited and gained copious insights into their political and economic statuses. His curiosity to understand the world propelled him by enhancing his knowledge and affinity for cultural enrichment.

Malcom lived a victorious life, and one of his most favorite scriptures was Daniel 3:17-18: He would often declare, My God whom I serve is able to deliver me. But if not, let it be known that He is still the most-high God.  In recent months, Malcom heard the voice of God calling him to serve as Pastor and establish the Trust and Believe Ministries. He eagerly accepted his calling to be a servant in teaching and preaching God's word, and he immersed himself intensely in studying the bible, worshipping, praying, and listening for God's instructions to fulfill His calling. Malcom peacefully transitioned from Earth to Glory to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on August 22, 2023. He will be remembered for leaving a legacy of unwavering faith (Romans 4:20-21) that positively impacted those who interacted with him.

 Malcom was an extraordinaire, loved by all and leaves to treasure his fond memories: his wife Michelle Nicole Ivy; sons, Malcom Orlando (Maria) Ivy and Justin (Charvella) Ivy; five grandchildren, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Aya, Zoriah and Zipporah; five siblings, brothers, Anthony (Shantel), Hubert (Angela), Marcus (Francine), Prentice Sr. (Denise), and sister Katrina (Abdoulie Suma); father-in-law, Selwyn Richards; brother-in-law Kareem Andre Levestone; god sisters, Lorraine Binion and Nikki Marie Turner; god brother Bobby Nelson, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other dearly loved in-laws, and friends.

Professional Footprint

The foundational principle that anchored Malcom's footprints was his faith, which was deeply rooted in the verse Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, which played a crucial role in his life. His strong belief in the Lord Jesus Christ’s power gave him the strength and confidence to overcome challenges. Malcom was a visionary and demonstrated a spirit of excellence in his leadership.
 

In 1985, Malcom entered the professional world by joining the May Company (Payless) as a Sales Associate. With aspirations beyond his small town, he had an early desire to be a difference-maker and expand his horizons. His natural

leadership qualities quickly became evident as he rose through the ranks and became an integral part of the management team within the first year. Within the following year, Malcom began managing one of the major stores in Missouri, which marked the start of his career trajectory in the business world.

As the pages of his journey turned, he began seeing new possibilities in business collaborations. While at the May Company, he took on his first venture into entrepreneurship and started AAA Parking Lot Cleaning Services. This experience allowed him to taste the challenges and rewards of running his own business, reflecting his entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to take calculated risks.
 

Malcom had been keenly interested in the Real Estate industry since the early 80’s. Then, in 1989, he had the opportunity to transition to the role of an Account Executive at Household Finance, which led him to Chicago. His hard work and dedication earned him the title of 'Top Producer of Mortgage Protection and Life Insurance' and, in 1990, the 'Account Sales of the Year' award. Malcom continued gaining extensive experience in Real Estate, and then, in 1991, he joined Liberty Mortgage Corporation as Vice President. Malcom's outstanding contributions were acknowledged in 1994 when he was awarded 'Divisional Manager of the Year' and again two years later won the 'Profit Leader' Award from Nations Credit. He continued to grow and expand his influence as Vice President of the Central Financial Services team in 1998. 2001 marked a pivotal juncture for Malcom. Fueled by his passion for Real Estate and his aspiration to empower others to make homeownership a reality, he purposely birthed the Assurance Group. As the founder, his vision aimed to create a comprehensive, all-encompassing platform for Real Estate transactions. Under this umbrella, he built a suite of services, including Assurance Mortgage Lenders, Assurance Realtors, and Assured Title. Malcom's commitment to Real Estate empowerment was evident through various initiatives. As an accomplished keynote speaker, he orchestrated Real Estate seminars and workshops and was instrumental in increasing awareness and helping thousands achieve their goals. Through the 'Pursuing the Promise' radio program (Chicago's WYCA station) and the 'Guide to Homeownership' television program (Chicago's WJYS-TV) that he directed and produced, he shared homeownership basics, Real Estate investment strategies, imparting knowledge and creating a call to action to thousands of listeners within the greater Chicagoland community. Malcom received several industry recognitions and excellent customer satisfaction awards for the Assurance Group. In 2010, with the ever-shifting landscape of the Real Estate market and business trend analysis, he made one of the most challenging decisions to close the Assurance Mortgage Group.

But Malcom's ambitions didn't stop there, and a new chapter was written as he transformed and assumed a pivotal role on the board of directors for a private direct lending company in 2011 until his recent transition. His exceptional market intelligence and outstanding leadership were widely respected as the company strategically provided businesses with a diverse portfolio of economic investment opportunities.

Malcom's leadership and business acumen earned him recognition and significantly impacted the greater Chicago land communities, making him a true difference-maker in the Real Estate industry. Malcom's professional journey is a testament to his unwavering faith, perseverance, and entrepreneurship. Thousands felt Malcom's influence throughout his lifetime, and his legacy will continue to be remembered today and in the future.

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