HR0863 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0863 LRB095 14987 KXB 40983 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of First Lady Mother Georgia Washington of Rockford, who passed away on November 30, 2007; and

WHEREAS, She was born on March 17, 1943, in Smithson, Arkansas, the daughter of Earnie Mae and Warren Lovett; her family relocated to Rockford in March 1945; she was reared by R.C. McGee; and

WHEREAS, She united with the St. Paul Church of God in Christ and served as Sunday School secretary and became the choir director at the age of 17; she also served as a member of the District, Jurisdictional, and National choirs; Mrs. Washington was the co-founder of the St. Paul Academy and Hands that Help, Incorporated; most recently she served as St. Paul Church of God in Christ, Supervisor of Women, Director of Missions, President of the Mount Calvary District Pastor's and Minister's Wives; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Washington was a 1961 graduate of West High School and attended vocational school and became a keypunch verifier and sorter; her first job was at National Lock as a technologist; she successfully completed the civil service examination and was hired by School District 205 in the data processing department; Mrs. Washington was awarded an Associate in Child Development and was a teacher at St. Paul Academy; and

WHEREAS, On January 6, 1962, Mr. James E. Washington took Georgia M. Lovett to be his lawfully wedded wife, providing St. Paul Church of God in Christ with its first wedding ceremony; they were united by the late Bishop Freeman Guy Green; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her fathers, Warren Lovett and R.C. McGee; her grandparents, Earnest and Hattie Browning; and her brother, Albert C. Livingston; and

WHEREAS, Georgia Washington is survived by her husband of 46 years, Bishop James E. Washington; her daughter, Yolanda Lynn Washington (Stan) Penix; her son, Elder Vincent (Tomika) Washington; her mother, Earnie McGee; her brothers, Dante Bevineau, Jerry Lovett, and Mark Lovett; her stepmother, Eloise Lovett; her seven grandchildren; her two special children; her many godchildren, and her friends and family members; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of First Lady Mother Georgia Washington; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of First Lady Mother Georgia Washington as an expression of our sympathy.