HR1286 LRB094 20483 HSS 58746 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the
3 State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of
4 Katherine Flowers Shepherd on Wednesday, April 26, 2006; and
 
5     WHEREAS, She was born in Inverness, Mississippi, on
6 September 6, 1947, to Lewis M. Flowers, Sr., and Maple
7 Stapleton Flowers; in 1950, the family moved to Indianapolis,
8 Indiana, where Katherine attended the Indianapolis public
9 schools and graduated from Shortridge High School; she enhanced
10 her education by attending a local computer institute and
11 earned a certification in information technology; and
 
12     WHEREAS, She was baptized at the age of seven at the
13 Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church; she remained faithful to
14 Tabernacle and was dutiful in her church works; she was a
15 member of the Gospel Chorus and served as a Youth
16 Director/Coordinator, a teacher of Vacation Bible School, and
17 advisor and creator of many fundraising projects at the church;
18 she was a charter member of the Oliver Youth Choir; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Mrs. Shepherd was currently in the position of
20 President of the Missionary Society, Sunday School Teacher, and
21 was a member of the Nurses; she assisted Pastor Bailey as
22 Personal/Administrator in the monthly staff meetings and
23 worked as Financial Secretary of the Union District
24 Association; and
 
25     WHEREAS, She will always be remembered as one who loved
26 reading the Word and teaching in Sunday school; she was always
27 ready and able to assist in any area where she was needed at
28 the church; and
 
29     WHEREAS, On June 21, 1968, Katherine married Willie James
30 Shepherd and their union spanned over 38 years; and
 

 

 

HR1286 - 2 - LRB094 20483 HSS 58746 r

1     WHEREAS, She will be sadly missed by her family and
2 friends; those who knew her well can verify that she would
3 speak what was in her heart; she was a strong influence in her
4 family and can never be replaced; and
 
5     WHEREAS, After the passing of her sister, Barbara, she
6 became the surrogate mother of her sister's daughter, Cynthia,
7 and her children; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Preceding her in death were two brothers, Herman
9 and Lewis Flowers, Jr., and one sister, Barbara Montgomery; and
 
10     WHEREAS, The passing of Katherine Flowers Shepherd has been
11 deeply felt by many, especially her husband, Willie James
12 Shepherd; her sons, Kevin and Jamie Shepherd; her surrogate
13 daughter, Cynthia Montgomery; her father, Lewis M. Flowers
14 (Jewell); her grandchildren, Ke'vanna and Kynnedi Shepherd;
15 her surrogate grandchildren, Jaylin, Janiyah, and Jazlynn; her
16 sisters, Pastor Mary L. Guthrie and Marilyn Wadlington; her
17 brothers, Willie Jones, Jr., (Essie), Randy Wadlington
18 (Debbie), and Pastor David K. Flowers (Summer); and her nieces,
19 nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, many friends, and
20 her Tabernacle Church Family; therefore, be it
 
21     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
22 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
23 we mourn the passing of Katherine Flowers Shepherd, and we
24 extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, and all who
25 knew and loved her; and be it further
 
26     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
27 presented to her family as an expression of our sincerest
28 condolences.