093_HR0271

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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 Lona
 4    Mae Martin Ford, "Mama Ford", of Chicago on April  26,  2003;
 5    and

 6        WHEREAS,  Mama  Ford, the firstborn of nine children, was
 7    born on January 22, 1923 to the union  of  Henry  and  Nather
 8    Martin in Carrolton, Mississippi; and

 9        WHEREAS, Mama Ford's early education and spiritual growth
10    began  in  a  small community in Carrolton where she received
11    her academic  and  religious  training;  she  was  united  in
12    matrimony  at  an  early age to the late Guy McDonald, and to
13    this union two children were born; and

14        WHEREAS, Years later, she married the  late  Jasper  Ford
15    and  was  a  loving  wife  for over forty years; she became a
16    member  of  Mt.  Pleasant  Baptist  Church  after  moving  to
17    Chicago; she later joined Tabernacle M.B. Church in  Chicago,
18    where  she  faithfully  served  for  over forty years; in the
19    early nineties, Mother Ford was one of the founding  members,
20    under the leadership of Rev. Albert Johnson, of Living Waters
21    Baptist  Church;  there  she  served  as  one  of the leading
22    trustees;  she  was  a  trooper  in  building  the   church's
23    membership  and leading souls to Christ; she demonstrated her
24    Christianity  through  her  relationships  with   those   she
25    encountered on the road of life; and

26        WHEREAS,  Mama  Ford's  culinary skills were demonstrated
27    throughout  her  Christian  life;  she   especially   enjoyed
28    preparing  food  for  her  family  and  friends;  she  was an
29    extraordinary woman and was a gift to all who knew her; and

30        WHEREAS, Mama Ford's passing will be deeply felt by many,
31    especially her daughter, Bernice (Walter) Singleton;  her two
 
                            -2-      LRB093 11702 KEF 15394 r
 1    sisters, Betty (August) Anderson and Charity Dewitt; her  two
 2    brothers, Bennie Martin (Jackie) and George Johnson (Bonnie);
 3    her    daughter-in-law,    Laverne    McDonald;    her   five
 4    grandchildren, Latasha McDonald, Alene Caldwell, Guy McDonald
 5    III,  Shawna  Harrington,  and  Brock  Singleton;   her   two
 6    great-granddaughters, Kailyn Harrington and Brooke Singleton;
 7    and  a  host  of  godchildren,  nieces,  nephews,  and  other
 8    relatives and friends; and

 9        WHEREAS,  Mama Ford was preceded in death by her parents;
10    her son, Guy; and her late husband, Jasper; therefore, be it

11        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES   OF   THE
12    NINETY-THIRD  GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13    we mourn the death of Lona Mae Martin Ford along with all who
14    knew and loved her and extend our sincere condolences to  her
15    family and friends; and be it further

16        RESOLVED,  That  a  suitable  copy  of this resolution be
17    presented to the family of Lona  Mae  Martin  Ford  with  our
18    deepest sympathy.