HR0916 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0916 LRB101 22405 MST 73473 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Deidre Lynn "Dee" Lee, who passed away on October 2, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee was born in Harvey to Earlie Mae and Melvin Abbott on July 26, 1960; she attended Second Baptist Church in Harvey and graduated from Thornton Township High School in Harvey in 1978, where she participated in many clubs and extracurricular activities; she continued her education at Columbia College in downtown Chicago; she met Ronnie L. Lee at St. Mark MBC Cathedral, and they were married in August of 1997; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee worked for Washington Cemetery, Playboy Magazine, the Berglund Construction Company, and Roseland Hospital as administrative assistance to the regional director; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee and her husband founded the Nehemiah Christian Center Ministries, originally in the city of Robbins, in February of 2001; she served in various roles, including as a member of the Praise Team, as an administrator, and then as pastor of the Women's Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee received her Church Planter Training Certificate of Completion in June of 2000; she was licensed to preach the gospel in August of 2006 and was ordained as a minister in September of 2010; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee served as the Leading Lady in the State of Illinois alongside her husband, who in August 2014 was consecrated and appointed as Illinois State Bishop of the New Century Fellowship of Churches; she also served as the Leading Lady of Impact Covenant Fellowship of Illinois alongside her husband, who served as Episcopal Prelate; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee was a loving wife and mother and balanced motherhood and ministry with near perfection; she was devoted to her family; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Abbott; and

WHEREAS, Deidre Lee is survived by her mother, Earlie Mae Abbott; her husband, Bishop Ronnie L. Lee; her daughters, Nikeela Kioca Oliver, Shekinah Lynn Lee, Meghan Faith Payton, and Melanie Joy Lee; her Godson, Michael King; her grandson, Taharka Payton Jr.; her granddaughter, Maleah Lee; her sister, Mavis Abbott; her sisters-in-law, Sylvia Tidwell, Doris (Kenny) Johnson, and Patricia Lee Smith; her brothers-in-law, Earl Lee Jr. and Eugene (Jill) Matthews; her mother-in-law, Hannah M. Lee; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends; 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 Deidre Lynn "Dee" Lee 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 Deidre Lee as an expression of our deepest sympathy.