SR0106 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0106 LRB094 11653 CSA 43102 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Dr. Mildred Louise Sammons of East St. Louis on February 9, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sammons was born on January 15, 1917; she was the daughter of the late Leslie Lee and Louise Hopkins and a native of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where she completed her elementary and high school education; after graduating from high school, she attended Kentucky State College in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she completed a two-year teacher course; and

WHEREAS, While still a young woman, she moved to East St. Louis in 1945 and, shortly thereafter, married Doree Thomas; in 1947, she established the Mildred Louise School for Teachers; in May 1959, the school was incorporated and became known as the Mildred Louise Business School, Inc.; some years later, the school was again renamed as the Mildred Louise Business College; she served as an Instructor, Administrator, and President of the college; the Mildred Louise Business College was an accredited institution with only certified instructors; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sammons devoted her life to education and molding the minds of young women and men from all walks of life to help them achieve the highest level of professional excellence in their chosen careers; and

WHEREAS, In addition to being a lifelong, active member of St. Paul Baptist Church, she also was an active member of many civic, business, and political organizations, such as the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, the Women's Crisis Board of Directors, the St. Clair County YWCA, Delta Pi Epsilon Graduate Honor Fraternity, SIU-Edwardsville Board of Directors, Community Hospital of East St. Louis, the National African-American Association for Colored People, and the Women United Political Organization; she was also inducted into the "Who's Who of Business and Professional Women"; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Sammons received honors, recognition, awards, and citations - internationally, nationally, and locally - for her excellence in service to the community and several organizations; and

WHEREAS, She was an excellent role model for adults and young people in the East St. Louis community; her achievements and dedication exemplified what one can accomplish in a lifetime while successfully combining the roles of mother, professional woman, wife, and grandmother; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her husband; her brothers, Egbert and George Hopkins; and her sister, Elizabeth Robinson; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Dr. Mildred Louise Sammons is felt by all who knew and loved her, especially her daughter, Jettan Thomas Anderson; her grandchildren, Darrick L. Anderson, Jr., and Jocelyn Louisa Anderson; her nephews, Donald, Darrell, and Edwin Hopkins; her niece, Diane Hopkins; her Thomas Family relatives, Robert Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jones, Edith Mickles, Janette Owens, Tyrone (Beverly) Washington, Leroy (Charlotte) Jackson, Barbara Mickles, Stephanie Mickles, and Mr. and Mrs. Lou Mickles; and a host of former students, close friends, and professional and civic affiliations; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Mildred Louise Sammons and extend our sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and community; and be it further

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