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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Donnita Elaine Barton-Davenport of 
4Springfield, who passed away on December 27, 2015; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Donnita Barton-Davenport was born in Springfield 
6to Juanita and Rollin "Donnie" Barton on October 14, 1937;  she 
7graduated from Feitshans High School in 1955 and earned her 
8Bachelor of Arts in Biology and  Chemistry from Dilliard 
9University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1959; she became a 
10Franciscan nun and took the name Sr. Martin De Porres; she left 
11the nunhood and married Rudy Davenport in 1996; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Donnita Barton-Davenport earned her master's 
13degree in health services administration at Sangamon State 
14University in 1978; in 1980, she earned a second master's 
15degree in public administration; she worked in the education 
16system with the State of Illinois; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Donnita Barton-Davenport dedicated much of her 
18time to St. Agnes as Religion School Teacher Assistant; she 
19volunteered for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, 
20Catholic Charities, and Altrusa; and
  
 
21    WHEREAS, Donnita Barton-Davenport enjoyed collecting 
 
 
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1antique glass; she was a co-founding member of the Nu Omicron 
2Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; she also was 
3a co-founder of the Springfield African American History Museum 
4and Foundation; she was a member of Grace United Methodist 
5Church; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, Donnita Barton-Davenport is survived by her 
7husband, Rudy; her daughter, Corcella Dulania Isaiah; her 
8sister, Ronda Barton-McAllister;  her brother, Rollin D. 
9Barton; and her grandchildren, Azaliah, Rahab, and Jonah 
10Isaiah-Davenport; therefore, be it
  
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL 
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
13Donnita Elaine Barton-Davenport, and extend our sincere 
14condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
15her; and be it further
  
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17presented to  the family of  Donnita Barton-Davenport as an 
18expression of our deepest sympathy.