HR0604 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0604 LRB102 24027 MST 33239 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Sister Edna McNelty, a resident of Maywood for over 60 years, on December 22, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty was born on July 29, 1929 in Summit, Mississippi, the first of 12 children born to Warnella and Peter Huber Crossley; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty met Pastor H. McNelty at the Chicago Baptist Institute of Chicago, and they later married and had one son, Michael McNelty; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty, alongside her late husband, dedicated her life to the church and the education of children during her tenure as the First Lady of the First Baptist Church in Melrose Park and the Dean of Education of the H. McNelty School; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty also completed 22 years of service, including with the Department of Health and Human Services-Social Security Administration; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty worked faithfully and tirelessly to serve her church and community; she was the First Lady of the First Baptist Church of Melrose Park for 42 years; and

WHEREAS, Sis Edna McNelty and her husband worked hard to ensure the success of their church and school; in 1978, an addition to the church was completed, and in 1985, they founded the H. McNelty pre-school; furthermore in 1990, they oversaw the construction of an auditorium, educational labs, and an atrium garden; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty later joined the United Baptist Church in Chicago, where she continued to serve the poor; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty was supportive of her parents, siblings, other relatives, church members, and friends; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty lived a life of love and dedication to her family, friends, and community; she leaves behind a legacy of faith and generosity and an abundance of love; and

WHEREAS, Sis. Edna McNelty leaves to cherish her memory her son, Michael (Mary); her granddaughter, Tawanda; her sisters, Joyce McSpadden, Clara Crossley, and Theresa Crossley; her sister-in-law, Inez Crossley; her brother, Lonnie Melvin Crossley; her brother-in-law, Willie Frank Moore; her goddaughters, Anita Perkins-Tate and Benita Edwards; her godsons, Cleo and Charlie McSpadden and Shaun Mayberry; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Sister Edna McNelty and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sis. Edna McNelty as an expression of our deepest sympathy.