HR0843 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0843 LRB102 27279 LAW 39067 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Monica Tenelle Beverly, who passed away on March 28, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Monica Beverly was born alongside her twin sister Marsha to Jimmie and Dorothy Gardner of Chicago on October 6, 1978; she attended Marillac House Social Center from ages three to eight; she was also enrolled at Our Lady of Sorrow Catholic School before transferring in third grade to the Walt Disney Magnet School, from which she graduated eighth grade in 1992; she attended Steinmetz High School in 1996, where she served as assistant to the cheerleading coach before later joining the squad; she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Drama from Roosevelt University in 2003; she received her master's degree in Psychology from National Louis University pending thesis; she married Eric Beverly on June 17, 2017, and they had one son, Elijah Beverly, who preceded her in death; and

WHEREAS, Monica Beverly worked part time at the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cook County while attending Roosevelt University in 2000; she worked for the Cook County Sheriff's Department thereafter in 2001 and for the past 20 years; she also became an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics in 2005 and was promoted to sales director in 2006; she learned to bake as a form of therapy after losing her son in 2019, eventually opening her own home baked goods business named Luv e Sweets in honor of Elijah in 2020; she made treats and desserts for various celebratory needs and had developed a loyal following of patrons; and

WHEREAS, Monica Beverly committed to her faith at an early age, attending Jordan Temple Baptist Church when she was three years old in 1981; she asked to be baptized and joined the Sunshine Choir in 1984; she joined the Young Adult Choir in 1991, where she became one of the choir directors; she attended the Church Cotillion at the age of 17 in 1995, where she was a debutante alongside her sister Marsha; she joined the Jordan Temple Combined Adult Choir at the age of 18 in 1996; she went on to join the Jordan Temple Praise and Worship Ministry; she joined the Breath of Life Dance Ministry (B.O.L.D.) in 1998, which she later led for 23 years; she developed Jordan Temple's Mimes of God (M.O.G.) ministry in 2006; she led the Passion 4 Praise (P.4.P.) ministry in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Monica Beverly joined Near Future Youth Ministry Chorale as one of its original members in 1995, where she was a faithful member since its inception and attended reunion celebrations; she was also a founding members of D.N.A. Ministries International, Inc. in 2012, where she served for 11 years and traveled both domestically and internationally; she also auditioned and became one of the many members of The Unquenchable Worshippers in February 2012; and

WHEREAS, Due to her passion for the arts and dance, Monica Beverly joined the Eagle International Training Institute (EITI) in 2013, where she participated and graduated from T.E.N. Modules Years 1 and 2; she later joined the T.E.N. Illinois Northwest Site as a teacher, where she became co-leader in 2016; her dance credentials also included accomplishments with the Eagle International Training Institute; she graduated from the EITI School of Drama in 2015 and served as the school's administrator for EITI MIME; she also graduated from the EITI Choregeo Dance Leadership Network the next year; and

WHEREAS, Monica Beverly was one of the founding board members of Erik Kirk & True Worship in 2018, where her voice could be heard with great range in the soprano section; her organization went on to be nominated at the Rhythm of Gospel Awards in several categories; and

WHEREAS, Monica Beverly became the leader of The Altar Church of Worship Dance Ministry in 2018; alongside fellow Eagle Minister and friend Irene Abrons, she also started the teaching and training session for The Altar School of Worship in September 2021; she was working on producing Deeply Rooted at the time of her passing, which will be dedicated to her by the dance ministry at The Altar Church of Worship as a tribute to her legacy and to honor her for all she sacrificed and poured into the production; and

WHEREAS, Monica Beverly was a singer, soloist, choir director, praise team leader, praise dancer, and a phenomenal woman of faith who was affectionately known as "Moni", "Mo", "Mo-Mo", and "Lil Bit"; she possessed a super-soprano voice that did not match her stature, exceeding vocal expectations with confidence and energy; she was noted as being one of the best producers, choreographers, and Integral Dance Ministry leaders in the City of Chicago; she will be remembered for her determination, dedication, and love; 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 Monica Tenelle Beverly 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 Monica Beverly as an expression of our deepest sympathy.