HR0546LRB102 21314 LAW 30426 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Josie
4Mae Smith, who passed away on October 25, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Josie Smith was born to Joseph and Lula Bell
6Williams in Dancy, Alabama on June 24, 1925; she was raised in
7Aliceville, Alabama; she married Hayes Smith Sr. in Alabama on
8June 25, 1943, and they had 11 children; she moved to Chicago
9in November 1948; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Josie Smith was employed at Olivet Community
11Center for over 25 years; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Josie Smith committed to her faith at an early
13age in Alabama and joined the Cannon Baptist Church; after she
14moved to Chicago, she joined the Union Missionary Baptist
15Church, where she continued to be a member until her passing;
16she served on the Nurses' Board in 1975 and remained faithful
17to the Nurses' Board Ministry for 46 years; she was appointed
18to the Mothers' Board as the second oldest mother of the church
19in June 2021; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Josie Smith was known to many as "Ms. Union" due
21to her pleasingly graceful, stylish appearance and manner; she

 

 

HR0546- 2 -LRB102 21314 LAW 30426 r

1always loved modeling at church events; she also loved
2traveling and all types of crafting; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Josie Smith was preceded in death by her husband;
4her sons, Sammie Sr., Michael, Hayes Smith Jr., Dale Knox, and
5Willie Davis Smith; her daughter, Hattie Mae; her parents; her
6brothers, Ben, Joseph, Willie Earl, and John; her sisters,
7Anne Mae, Myra, Laura, Lartha, and Willie Mae; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Josie Smith is survived by her children, Alonzo
9(Doris), Harvey (Pamela), Anthony (Kathy), Denver, Derrick,
10Norma Jean, Shirley (Preston), and Michelle; her sister,
11Martha Williams; her daughters-in-law, Viola and Colette; her
1247 grandchildren; her 89 great-grandchildren; her 35
13great-great-grandchildren; her goddaughters, Linda Moore and
14Sadie Alexander; and her one godson; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
16HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
17we mourn the passing of Josie Mae Smith and extend our sincere
18condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved
19her; and be it further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21presented to the family of Josie Smith as an expression of our
22deepest sympathy.