HR0794 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0794 LRB101 20948 MST 70957 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Willie Mae Hopson of Peoria, who passed away on February 22, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was born in Cruger, Mississippi to Willie and Ellen (Randle) Gordon on October 22, 1935; she was educated in the Mississippi and Peoria public school systems; she married Charlie B. Thomas in 1953; after his passing, she married Waymon H. Harper Sr. on December 7, 1958; after his passing, she married Artis Hopson in 1982; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson's early jobs included being a candy striper and working in the preemie center at OSF (St. Francis Hospital); in 1995, she retired from her administrative duties at Caterpillar to care for her mother; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was politically active and served many years as an election judge; twice, she visited the White House, and she attended President Barack Obama's second inauguration; and

WHEREAS, For 70 years, Willie Mae Hopson was a dedicated member of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church; she served as former Annual Calendar Tea Chair and worked with the culinary staff, Deaconess Board, Mother's Council, One Church, One Child Foster Care Program, Church Missions, and Helping Hands Committee; she visited the sick and, through the Mentorship Ministry, shared her guidance; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was an avid bowler and finished a stellar bowling career of 46 years; her culinary skill-set was unrivaled; in the neighborhood, she was revered as a village mom; she was the "Queen of Clean" and hosted annual yard sales and Super Bowl parties; she was a classy lady when it came to travel and was a jet-setter; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson loved to garden and possessed a green thumb; during the spring and summer months, she would be on the fish banks laughing with her sons and buddies; her weekly fish fry always brought family and friends together; she loved watching the Steve Harvey Show, Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, Rachel Maddow, and Judge Judy; she enjoyed completing crossword puzzles, and her happy place was relaxing on Martha's Vineyard; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson was preceded in death by her first husband, Charlie; her second husband, Waymon; her parents; and her brother, J.P. (Buck) Gordon; and

WHEREAS, Willie Mae Hopson is survived by her husband of 38 years, Artis Hopson; her daughters, Mae Catherine Godhigh, Wanda F. Thomas, Vachon K. (Thaddeus) Harper Young, and Nadine Hopson Redmond; her sons, Charles D. Thomas, Andre' A. Harper, Waymon H. (Angela) Harper Jr., and Sean (Cyrie) Hopson; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other family, and friends; her sister-in-loves, Freida Gordon, Georgia (Dimp) Gordon Little, Geneva Randle King, Helen Scott, Sophia Woods, and Mary Ann King; her special bowling buddy and niece, Imogene (Gordon) Simmons; and her special Godson, Antwine Freeman; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Willie Mae Hopson 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 Willie Mae Hopson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.