Lana Felton-Ghee, civic leader, political consultant

Lana Felton-Ghee, 66, campaign manager for former Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street and a political and marketing force in the city, died Sunday, Nov. 24, of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at Pennsylvania Hospital.

A lifelong Philadelphian who lived in Roxborough and later Overbrook, Mrs. Felton-Ghee distinguished herself as an advocate for businesswomen, minorities, and those in need. She pushed hard for small-business equality citywide.

"She was recognized as a person who got things done," her family said in a statement.

At various times, she was executive director of District 1199C, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees; vice president of government affairs for Health Partners of Philadelphia; and deputy city representative for Philadelphia from 1980 to 1991.

Her career in special events was launched when city officials chose her to work on the 1976 Bicentennial celebration in Philadelphia. The leadership and event-planning skills she demonstrated led to opportunities for work in nonprofit, corporate, and political organizations.

In 1995, she created Lana Felton-Ghee Associates Inc., an event-planning and public relations firm.

One of the events Mrs. Felton-Ghee spearheaded was the Philadelphia Freedom Festival, which later became Welcome America. The event is an Independence Day celebration held along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and on the Delaware River waterfront.

A consultant and confidante to city and state elected officials, Mrs. Felton-Ghee worked for major political campaigns, starting in the early 1970s with Dave Richardson's run for state representative.

She ran a successful mayoral campaign in 1999 for then-Councilman John F. Street. At that time, she was sought after as a consultant to presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

An unabashed cheerleader for the city, she would tell listeners, "There is no place like Philadelphia," according to her family.

Mayor Nutter praised Mrs. Felton-Ghee for dedicating her life to public service. He said she served three Philadelphia mayors - W. Wilson Goode, Ed Rendell, and Street.

"Ms. Felton-Ghee contributed to the city's hospitality sector through her work with the City Representative's Office and the Freedom Festival, a precursor of Welcome America," the mayor said in a statement.

She retired in 2012 to spend time with family and work within her church, the True Light Fellowship Church in East Mount Airy, said her niece Kenya Felton.

"She was very family-oriented and loved creating memorable experiences," Felton said.

Surviving are her husband, Jimmy Ghee; sons Shedrick Felton, Kevin Ghee, and Theron Ghee; a daughter, Petra Felton; and 10 grandchildren.

Her first husband, Shedrick Felton Sr., from whom she was divorced, died in 1990.

A viewing from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, will be followed by 11 a.m. funeral services at Deliverance Evangelistic Church, 2001 W. Lehigh Ave. Burial is private.