SR0404 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0404 LRB093 20672 HSS 46539 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Hester Clarise Clarkston Estelle on January 25, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Estelle was born on July 19, 1917, in Chicago to Lyda Mae Clarkston and Lucas Chauncey Clarkston; she graduated from James McCosh Elementary School and received a diploma in General Science from Englewood High School; she was awarded an associate's degree in early childhood development from Kennedy King College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Roosevelt University; she met Charles F. Estelle Sr. while they were both members of the Young Peoples Choir at Woodlawn African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, and they were married on June 11, 1938; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Estelle's faith in God was a major part of her life; she had been a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church since 1978, where she participated in the Clair Young Circle of the United Methodist Women, the Chancel Choir, and served on various program committees; she especially enjoyed singing in Handel's Messiah with the Chancel Choir; she was an original member of the Young Peoples Choir, now called the Aeolian Chorale at Woodlawn Church; she was a Sunday School Superintendent at St. John A.M.E. Church; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Estelle was actively involved in her community; she was Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Englewood Urban Progress Center, now called the Department of Human Services (DHS) Englewood office, and was a member of the Ogden Park Advisory Council, the National Association of University Women, the Chicago Committee on Urban Opportunity, and the 65th and Carpenter Block Club; she was a Precinct Election Official for the Circuit Court of Cook County, PTA President of the Perkins and Bass Elementary Schools, and she was appointed by the late Mayor Richard J. Daly to his Citizens Advisory Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Estelle was employed for 22 years with the City of Chicago DHS Head Start Program; she organized Head Start Centers, developed workshops, and supervised and trained workers; she founded one of Chicago's first Head Start Centers at St. John A.M.E. Church; she retired in 1987 from the Salvation Army's Brainerd Head Start Center, where she was Acting Director; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Hester Clarice Clarkston Estelle has been deeply felt by many, especially her daughter, Elaine Williams; her sons, Charles F. Estelle Jr. and Anthony E. Estelle; her son-in-law, Samuel J. Williams Sr.; her grandchildren, Camille A. Simmons (Victor Sr.), Denise T. Nicholes (Walter), Samuel J. Williams Jr., Carrie Estelle, Matthew Estelle, Lucas Estelle, Camel Bates Jr., and Anthony Bates; her great-grandchildren, April Henderson, Ashley Simmons, Victor T. Simmons Jr., Taylor Nicholes, Erika Nicholes, O'Shay Bates, and Latham Estelle; her sisters, Cecelia M. Guice and Muriel J. Clarkston; her sisters-in-law, Grace Estelle and Emmerine Clarkston; her brother-in-law, Jewel Armstrong; and her many nieces, nephews, and friends; she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles F. Estelle Sr. and her beloved daughter, Frances Bates; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Hester Clarise Clarkston Estelle, and we extend our deepest sympathy to her friends, family, 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 Mrs. Estelle as an expression of our deepest sympathy.