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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 Mattie
4Ree Smith-Eiland, who passed away on February 16, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland was born in Gary, Indiana
6to Cornelius Smith and Rosia Ann Cumberland-Smith on November
711, 1928 and spent her formative years in Jackson,
8Mississippi; she excelled at both Sally Reynolds Elementary
9School and Jim Hill High School; she graduated from the
10Jackson College for Negro Teachers (Jackson State University)
11with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education; she did
12advanced degree work at Indiana State University; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland began her teaching career
14in McComb, Mississippi and eventually returned to Jackson to
15teach at her alma mater, Sally Reynolds Elementary School; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland married Bernard H. Eiland
17in 1953, and they eventually settled in Chicago, where they
18attended Olivet Baptist Church; she taught in the Ford Heights
19and East Chicago Heights school districts; in 1970, she joined
20the Chicago Public School System and began teaching at Myra
21Bradwell Elementary School; she went above and beyond the
22requirements of the classroom and would often form personal

 

 

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1relationships with many of her students; as a result of her
2efforts and dedication, she was a multi-year honoree in Who's
3Who Among American Teachers & Educators; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland was passionate about her
5community; she served as a board member for Grandma's House
6for Battered Women and the Joint Negro Appeal; she sponsored
7the Myra Bradwell Chapter of the National Jr. Beta Club and the
8Red Circle Girls of Olivet Baptist Church; she was also a
9faithful member of the St. Stephens Lutheran Church for over
1020 years; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland retired from teaching for
12the Chicago Public School System after 53 years but continued
13to stay active; she became a member of the National Coalition
14of 100 Black Women, while also working with pregnant teenage
15girls; she enjoyed spending time with her family, babysitting,
16talking with her friends, traveling, and continuing to educate
17and encourage all those she encountered; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland was preceded in death by
19her husband, Bernard Eiland; her parents; her brothers,
20Prentiss Smith, Cornelius Smith II, and Daniel Cumberland; her
21sisters, Ophia Dee and Mary Rembert; her niece, Sandra D.
22Smith-Edwards; and her nephew, Fredrick A. Smith; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland is survived by her
2daughter, Harriet; her sisters-in-law, Sarah Williams and
3Dorothy Lewis; her family members, Marvin (Anitra), Frederic
4"Bernie" (Theresa), Chris (Dominique), Marcus, Andres,
5Abraham, Terrence, Daniel, Darryl, Phillicia "Nikki" (Calvin),
6Sheryl D. (Earl), Ava (Andrew), Darla, Stephanie, April, and
7Tiffany; her special sisters, Yvonne Best, Dr. Lois Sherman,
8Gladys Norwood, and Carmen Clark; her special son, Donald
9Reese Sr.; her special neighbors, Mario Tillman and Flora
10Stone; and numerous nieces, nephews, friends, students, and
11loved ones; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
13HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we mourn the passing of Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland and extend our
15sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew
16and loved her; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18presented to the family of Mattie Ree Smith-Eiland as an
19expression of our deepest sympathy.