SR0988 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0988 LRB099 14334 GRL 38421 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Helen Burns Jackson, who passed away on September 7, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jackson was born on November 9, 1923 in Greenville County, South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jackson received her early education in the public schools of Greenville and, because of her extraordinary singing voice, earned a music scholarship to attend Talladega College in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jackson earned her license in cosmetology and owned and operated the Helen B. Jackson Beauty Salon for many years; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jackson was baptized at an early age at Springfield Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina; she later joined the Long Branch Baptist Church, and then the Piedmont Manor Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir, delighting parishioners with her soprano voice, served on the Missionary Society, and participated in a host of other church ministries; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jackson was a feminist who challenged molds long before the feminist movement became popular; she took an interest in many hobbies, including interior decorating, cosmetology, spending time with her family, and especially serving her community through numerous organizations, including the Boards of Directors of the Phyllis Wheatley Center, the Y.W.C.A., Greenville Technical College, the Trip Advisory Committee, and the Greenville Family Advocate; she was also a member of the Democratic Women's Organization, a founding member of the first Greenville Cosmetology Club, and a member of the 9th District of the South Carolina State Cosmetology Association; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jackson was preceded in death by her loving husband of 40 years, Charles Henry Jackson, Sr.; and

WHEREAS, Helen Jackson is survived by her sons, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and his wife, Jacqueline, and Charles Henry Jackson, Jr., and his wife, Cheryl; her grandchildren, Santita, Jesse, Jr. (Sandra), Jonathan (Marilyn), Felicia, Reginald (mother, Evelyn), Yusef (Amaya), Jacqueline, II, Corey (Shanine), Candace, Crystal, Najma, (Chris and Evelyn Hurst), and Ashley; her great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Jonathan, Jessica, Leah, Noah, Skye, Cali, Jesse, III, Christian, Akemi, Yusef, Cassius, Corey, Chaileal, Evelyn, Atticus, Matthias, Blythe Eden, and Roman; her cousins, Phillip Jossey, Lisa Junco (Al), Maria Owen (Othel, Sr.), Kathleen McCants (Andre), Linda Matuszak (David), Phillip, Lisa, and Lydia; and her many other relatives and special friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Helen Burns Jackson; and be it further

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