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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3 Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Myrtle
4 Bernadine Gilliam Officer on April 23, 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Myrtle Bernadine Gilliam was born on April 22,
6 1923, in Okolona, Mississippi to Raymond G. Gilliam and Myrtle
7 Robinson Gilliam; sadly, her mother died three months after her
8 birth; her maternal grandparents, B.I. and Florence Robinson,
9 reared her in their home on Pearl Street in Jackson,
10 Mississippi; and
 
11     WHEREAS, She received her formal education from the
12 Jackson, Mississippi Public School System and graduated from
13 Lanier High School in 1941; following graduation, she spent her
14 college freshman year at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo,
15 Mississippi; it was there she met a handsome, young soldier
16 named Marion E. Officer who would become her partner for life;
17 and
 
18     WHEREAS, They were united in Holy Matrimony April 25, 1944,
19 a few days before he was deployed to Europe during World War
20 II; she moved to East St. Louis and lived with his parents
21 while waiting for his return; they were blessed with three
22 children, a daughter, Bernadette, and two sons, Carl and
23 Marion, Jr.; and
 
24     WHEREAS, Mrs. Officer was extremely instrumental in
25 assisting her husband when he succeeded his parents as the
26 President of Officer Funeral Home in 1954; she made the
27 difficult decision to leave her family in September 1956 to
28 attend Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago; she
29 received her degree in June of 1957; following a one year
30 apprenticeship, she became a licensed funeral director and
31 embalmer in the State of Illinois in 1958; following the death

 

 

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1 of her husband in 1989, she became the CEO of the Officer
2 Funeral Homes; under her leadership, the firm continued the
3 legacy of providing excellence in funeral service and service
4 to the community; and
 
5     WHEREAS, As a community leader, Mrs. Officer was involved
6 in numerous local and national organizations including: Venus
7 Temple #1042 l.B. P.O.E. of W (charter member), Queen Elizabeth
8 Chapter #16 Order of the Eastern Star, the East St. Louis
9 Women's Club, and the Las Amigas Club; she was also a member of
10 a number of professional organizations including: the
11 International Order of the Golden Rule, the National Funeral
12 Directors Association, St. Clair County Association of Family
13 Owned Funeral Homes, St. Clair County Funeral Directors
14 Association, and the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers
15 Association; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Mrs. Officer enjoyed three things; shopping, more
17 shopping, and shopping until you drop; she was as happy
18 shopping at the Dollar Store as she was uptown; when her health
19 prevented her from indulging her passion, she found comfort in
20 QVC; and
 
21     WHEREAS, Mrs. Officer's greatest accomplishment was being
22 a mother and grandmother; she never ceased teaching or
23 nurturing her family with wisdom and love; she was a quiet
24 tower of determination and strength; and
 
25     WHEREAS, The passing of Myrde Bernadine Gilliam Officer
26 will be deeply felt by many, especially her loving children,
27 Ms. M. Bernadette Officer, Mayor Carl E. Officer (Lisa), and
28 Mr. Marion E. Officer, II, (Adrienne); her grandchildren,
29 Melanie B. Officer, Marion E. Officer, III, and Carli E.
30 Officer; her step-grandchildren, Roderick J. Lewis and Ryan J.
31 Lewis; her sister, Ramona Gilliam Roberts; her second loving
32 family, Mrs. Ada N. Woodson, Mrs. Jocelyn Woodson Reed, Ms.

 

 

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1 Natalie Woodson, Mr. Brandon W. Reed, and Mrs. Patricia A.
2 Thornton (Wayman); Rev. Delancey H. Moore, Sr., (Debra),
3 Delancey H. Moore, II, and Darrington Moore; her cousins, Mrs.
4 Annie Johnson (Jesse) and Mrs. Beverly Anderson (Maurice); her
5 many nieces, nephews, and godchildren; her other relatives and
6 many friends; her St. Luke A.M.E. Church family; and her loyal
7 and devoted staff; therefore, be it
 
8     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
9 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
10 mourn the death of Myrtle Bernadine Gilliam Officer along with
11 all who knew and loved her and extend our sincere condolences
12 to her family, friends, and community; and be it further
 
13     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14 presented to the family of Myrtle Bernadine Gilliam as a token
15 of our deepest sympathy.