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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Willie
4Mae Hopson of Peoria, who passed away on February 22, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was born in Cruger, Mississippi
6to Willie and Ellen (Randle) Gordon on October 22, 1935; she
7was educated in the Mississippi and Peoria public school
8systems; she married Charlie B. Thomas in 1953; after his
9passing, she married Waymon H. Harper Sr. on December 7, 1958;
10after his passing, she married Artis Hopson in 1982; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson's early jobs included being a
12candy striper and working in the preemie center at OSF (St.
13Francis Hospital); in 1995, she retired from her administrative
14duties at Caterpillar to care for her mother; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was politically active and
16served many years as an election judge; twice, she visited the
17White House, and she attended President Barack Obama's second
18inauguration; and
 
19    WHEREAS, For 70 years, Willie Mae Hopson was a dedicated
20member of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church; she
21served as former Annual Calendar Tea Chair and worked with the

 

 

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1culinary staff, Deaconess Board, Mother's Council, One Church,
2One Child Foster Care Program, Church Missions, and Helping
3Hands Committee; she visited the sick and, through the
4Mentorship Ministry, shared her guidance; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was an avid bowler and finished
6a stellar bowling career of 46 years; her culinary skill-set
7was unrivaled; in the neighborhood, she was revered as a
8village mom; she was the "Queen of Clean" and hosted annual
9yard sales and Super Bowl parties; she was a classy lady when
10it came to travel and was a jet-setter; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson loved to garden and possessed a
12green thumb; during the spring and summer months, she would be
13on the fish banks laughing with her sons and buddies; her
14weekly fish fry always brought family and friends together; she
15loved watching the Steve Harvey Show, Family Feud, Wheel of
16Fortune, Rachel Maddow, and Judge Judy; she enjoyed completing
17crossword puzzles, and her happy place was relaxing on Martha's
18Vineyard; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was preceded in death by her
20first husband, Charlie; her second husband, Waymon; her
21parents; and her brother, J.P. (Buck) Gordon; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson is survived by her husband of 38

 

 

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1years, Artis Hopson; her daughters, Mae Catherine Godhigh,
2Wanda F. Thomas, Vachon K. (Thaddeus) Harper Young, and Nadine
3Hopson Redmond; her sons, Charles D. Thomas, Andre' A. Harper,
4Waymon H. (Angela) Harper Jr., and Sean (Cyrie) Hopson;
5numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family, and
6friends; her sister-in-loves, Freida Gordon, Georgia (Dimp)
7Gordon Little, Geneva Randle King, Helen Scott, Sophia Woods,
8and Mary Ann King; her special bowling buddy and niece, Imogene
9(Gordon) Simmons; and her special Godson, Antwine Freeman;
10therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
12HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
13we mourn the passing of Willie Mae Hopson and extend our
14sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
15and loved her; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Willie Mae Hopson as an expression
18of our deepest sympathy.