HR0555 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0555 LRB099 12636 MST 36263 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Beatrice Holley Sumlin, who passed away on May 18, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Beatrice Sumlin was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 30, 1939 to Buford and Jessie Holley; she attended Lincoln Elementary and Parker High School and graduated from Wendel Phillips High School; she later attended the City Colleges of Chicago; she married Thomas Sumlin and they settled in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Beatrice Sumlin was a vested member in her community; in 1968, she began to volunteer at the 8th Ward Regular Democratic Organization under the then-Committeeman John H. Stroger, Jr.; from there her career in politics began; she first became Cook County Sheriff, and after serving in that position for several years she went on to become a clerk for the Markham courthouse; she left the courthouse to become an executive in the downtown offices of the Cook County Department of Highway under the leadership of Cook County Board President John H. Stroger, Jr.; her loyalty and hard work led to her appointment as the prestigious Committee Woman of the 8th Ward Regular Democratic Organization, where she served for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Beatrice Sumlin was an active member at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church for 26 years which led to the transition into Calvary Baptist Church, where she served from day one when they opened their doors; she was a strong voice in the choir and led many solos; and

WHEREAS, Beatrice Sumlin was preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Gregory Sumlin; and

WHEREAS, Beatrice Sumlin is survived by her 4 children, Stanley Sumlin (Janice), Aliscia Jones (Michael), and Jesse and Darlene Sumlin; her grandchildren, LaNeesha Givens (Kevin), Christa Talbott (Sean), Rashaad and Darrell Riley, Ayana Sumlin, Brian Barker, and Brandi Nelson; her great-grandchildren, Nehmiah Barker and Nia and Imani Talbott; her sister, Delores Fields; her very special niece, ZsaZsa Fields; and a parade of extended family and precious friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Beatrice Holley Sumlin, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Beatrice Sumlin as an expression of our deepest sympathy.