HR1373 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1373 LRB097 23837 GRL 73077 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Verna Lisa Baker, who passed away on November 28, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker was born on March 28, 1953, in Chicago, and was raised in Robbins and Blue Island; her parents were Bettie Jean and Joseph Donald Boyd; she married Larry D. Baker on December 21, 1985; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker graduated from Thomas J. Kellar Junior High School in 1967; after graduating from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in 1971, she attended Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, where she received an associate degree in 1973; after working various jobs, she desired to further her education, and enrolled at St. Xavier University in Chicago, where she received a bachelor's degree in speech and language pathology in 1983; she earned her Master of Arts from Concordia University in River Forest in 2000; she also enrolled in the Doctoral Program at Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker taught 5th grade at Bethel Christian School and its Child Development Program; when the job of Administrative Director of Bethel Educational Services became available, she applied and was chosen by the Board of Directors to fill the position; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker served as a volunteer at Bethel New Life and at Bethel Lutheran Church; from 2000 to 2003, she served as an Assistant Professor of Education and Assistant Director of the Office of Field Experience at Concordia University in River Forest; she was recently employed at the Chicago International Charter School by PYK Services as a speech para-professional; she also choreographed the Robbins Village Activity Guild Cotillion; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker was baptized at the age of 5 at Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Robbins, where she attended until 1985; during this time, she and her husband moved to the West Side of Chicago and eventually joined Bethel Lutheran Church; as a member of the church, she worked on every committee and held many major positions in the church; she was a soloist in the choir and worked with the youth of the church, Sunday School, Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, Bible Study, and the Christian Education Ministry until her passing; she also gave occasional sermons at the church; she was also a board member for Bethel New Life; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker enjoyed photography, quilting, sewing, catering, interior decorating, singing, writing, and public speaking; she was also an excellent card player and played Bid Whist regularly with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker was preceded in death by her mother, Bettie Jean Boyd; her cousin, Toni D. Christmas; and her lifelong friend, Mary Morgan Brown; and

WHEREAS, Verna Baker is survived by her devoted husband, Larry D. Baker; her daughters, Cachet Joy Baker-Walker (James) and Jasmine Janee' Baker; her stepson, Maurice Baker (Shaque); her beloved grandchildren, Talia M. Baker, Ashante B. Baker, Verlaina L. Baker, Anariah Walker, and Mariah Walker; her father, Joseph Donald Boyd; her siblings, Steven A. Boyd, Jo Anna M. Boyd, and Brenda S. Boyd; her sisters-in-law, Sandra L. Santee and Claire Baker; her cousin, Arthur Raymond Jackson (Joanna); her nephew and godson, Carey B. Boyd; her devoted cousin and sister, Victoria Napolez; her faithful cousin, Damon Knight; her loving friends, Amella Chambers-Little and Dennis Hersey; the members of her church family; her devoted friends, Deborah Williams, Ivory Banks, Keisha Banks, Roger Jones, Terkeysa Clay Patterson; the children of Bethel Lutheran Church and the Chicago International Charter School; her co-workers; and her many other family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Verna Lisa Baker; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Verna Baker as an expression of our sympathy.